Flaxseed Brioche Bread

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PRESENTATION

So, you know, brioche bread with flax seeds makes home baking feel extra special. French roots shine through in every tender, moist bite. Really, the flax seeds are the real star. Not just for crunch—they bring a boost of omega-3s, turning this classic treat into a healthy brioche recipe. It's pretty amazing how the water roux method—mixing flour with water and heating it—keeps the dough super soft and fluffy. Seriously good. You’d think it wouldn’t last, but even after a couple of days, it’s still light and airy. And that golden crust? Signals you’re about to enjoy something really really good.

The loaf shape nods to French baking traditions, making it perfect for thick French toast or sandwiches that can handle a hearty filling. And look, whenever you are craving something fancier than store-bought, flaxseed bread like this tastes way, way better. Baking at home lets you experiment. And some folks, you know, swap regular flour for wholemeal to create a whole grain brioche. This adds more fiber, crafting a nutritious bread recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. Pretty much.

There’s simple joy in pulling your own homemade brioche with seeds out of the oven. So crispy on the outside, yet fluffy inside. Thanks to the water roux, everything stays moist without heaviness, and those little flax seeds add a nutty flavor. It's a great complement to sweet and savory dishes. If you love baking with flax seeds, this recipe is a fantastic way to try something traditional with a fresh twist. Plus, you can feel good enjoying a loaf that’s not only tasty but also a bit healthier. Whether making French toast or a hearty sandwich, this brioche is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. And the sauce? It's all up to you.

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INGREDIENTS

Ingredients for a 10x4 inch loaf pan
Type 0 flour 2.8 cups (350 g)
Manitoba flour 1 ¼ cup (150 g)
Whole milk 1 cup (240 g) - at room temperature
Water 0.4 cup (100 g) - at room temperature
Brown sugar ⅛ cup (25 g)
Butter 1 ½ tbsp (20 g) - at room temperature
Fresh brewer's yeast 1 tsp (5 g)
Flax seed 4 ¼ tsp (20 g)
Fine salt 1 tsp
For the water roux
Water 1 glass (250 g) - at room temperature
Type 0 flour 0.4 cup (50 g)
For brushing and garnishing
Egg yolks 1
Whole milk 0.04 cup (10 g)
Flax seed to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Flaxseed Brioche Bread

To make the flaxseed brioche bread, first prepare the water roux: pour the room temperature water into a saucepan 1, add the sifted flour 2 and stir over low heat with a spatula or a whisk, being careful not to form lumps 3.

When the mixture reaches a gelatinous consistency with an opalescent appearance 4, remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the mixture into a jar or container 5, where you will let it cool 6, covered with a lid or plastic wrap in contact. Once cooled, the water roux will be ready to use, so take out a portion weighing 150 g (5.3 oz), which you will need for the rest of the recipe.

Crumble the yeast into room temperature water 7 and stir with a teaspoon to dissolve it completely 8. Pour the all-purpose flour and bread flour into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook 9,

then add the water roux 10, the dissolved yeast in water 11, the milk 12

and the brown sugar 13. Work everything at low speed until you get a smooth and homogeneous mixture, then add the softened butter little by little, keeping the mixer running, ensuring that each piece is completely absorbed by the dough before adding another 14. Finally, add the salt 15

and the flaxseeds 16 and continue to work until the dough detaches from the sides of the bowl 17. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead it quickly with your hands to form a nice smooth ball 18.

Transfer the ball of dough to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap 19 and let rise at room temperature for about 1 and a half hours. After the rising time, place the dough on the lightly floured surface and divide it into 3 equal parts 20. Roll each portion of dough between your hands to form a perfect and firm sphere 21.

Oil a loaf or bread pan measuring 10x4 inches 22 and place the 3 dough spheres inside 23, then cover with plastic wrap and let rise at a temperature of 78°F-80°F (for example, in the turned-off oven with the light on) until the dough reaches the edges of the pan 24; it will take at least 1 and a half hours.

Once risen, brush the surface of the dough with the milk and yolk mixture you have beaten together 25, sprinkle with flaxseeds 26 and bake in a preheated static oven at 375°F for about 45 minutes, placing it on the lower shelf. To check the cooking, you can use a kitchen thermometer: when the center reaches 205°F you can remove your brioche bread from the oven and let it cool. Once cooled, remove the flaxseed brioche bread from the pan and enjoy it as you like 27!

Storage

The flaxseed brioche bread can be stored for about 2 days covered with plastic wrap. You can freeze it once cooked. The water roux can be prepared in advance; any leftover can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Advice

If you wish, you can also make the brioche bread with type 1 flour and replace or add other varieties of oilseeds to the flaxseeds, such as sesame or sunflower seeds.

Curiosity

The water roux, or tangzhong, is a Japanese technique that became popular thanks to a book published in 2007 titled '65°C Bread Doctor'. The title refers to the temperature that the mixture of water and flour must reach before being removed from the heat, which is 149°F; alternatively to the thermometer, you can gauge by the consistency of the mixture, which should become gelatinous and almost transparent. The advantages of water roux are numerous: doughs made with this technique are well hydrated and particularly elastic and give the final product remarkable softness. Leavened products also remain soft longer; however, it may take more time to achieve the right leavening. To make the water roux you need to use a combination of flour and water in a ratio of 1 to 5: for this recipe, we preferred to prepare a larger amount of water roux to facilitate its success, considering that the excess can be stored in the refrigerator and used within a week.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.