Brioche Plait

This was my first ever attempt at a brioche but it was definitely worth the try. I'd always thought that sweet breads were a fiddle to make and required a lot of skill but this brioche certainly doesn't. The dough is so simple to make but including time to allow it to rise, it will take about 2 hours in total.

I could eat the whole plait in one go on it's own but it's even more delicious slathered with jam or dunked in coffee. It's probably best to eat it within a coupl of days but toasting it can do wonders!

Ingredients

425 g plain flour

1 tsp salt

250 ml + 1 tsp semi skimmed milk

1/2 tsp dried yeast

1 tsp honey

50 g butter

1 egg, beaten

1 egg yolk

Method

1. Put the flour in a bowl, add salt and make a well in the middle.

2. Mix 150ml of lukewarm milk with the yeast and honey then pour into the well and stir until combined.

3. Cover with clingfilm and leave for 15 mins to rise.

4. Melt the butter and add 100ml milk.

5. Add to the dough together with the beaten egg and knead until smooth. (Don't worry if the dough is very sticky at this point).

6. Cover again and leave in a warm place for 45 mins.

7. Preheat oven to 200°C fan.

8. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut into 3 equal pieces.

9. Shape each piece into a roll 45cm long.

10. Set the rolls side by side, press together at one end and braid into a plait. Press ends together.

11. Leave brioche in a warm place for 30 mins to rise.

12. Mix the egg yolk with 1 tsp milk. Brush over the brioche, then bake on second rail from bottom of oven for 30 mins.