Brioche vendéenne
Braided Easter brioche
Brioche vendéenne: braided Easter brioche from the Vendée
The brioche vendéenne is the plaited Easter brioche of the Vendée on the Atlantic coast, once baked for Easter Sunday and for weddings, where it was carried into the dance on a huge board. It is softer and lighter than Parisian brioche, scented with vanilla and orange-blossom water, and has protected status (IGP). The common mistake is plaiting too tightly, so it splits in the oven. Chef's tip: plait loosely and give it a long, slow final prove.
- Total time
- 330 min
- Difficulty
- hard
- Serves
- 10
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb strong white bread flour
- 2 ⅞ oz caster sugar
- ¼ oz salt
- ¼ oz instant dried yeast
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup lukewarm milk
- 1 ¾ oz crème fraîche
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange-blossom water
- 3 ½ oz unsalted buttersoft
- 1 eggbeaten, to glaze
- 2 tbsp pearl sugar (optional)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Knead the 1 ⅛ lb strong white bread flour, 2 ⅞ oz caster sugar, ¼ oz salt, ¼ oz instant dried yeast, 3 eggs, ½ cup lukewarm milk, 1 ¾ oz crème fraîche, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 tbsp orange-blossom water for 10 minutes. Add the 3 ½ oz unsalted butter bit by bit and knead until silky.
15 minStep 2: Cover and rise for 2–2½ hours until doubled, or overnight in the fridge.
150 minStep 3: Divide into 3, roll each into a 40 cm rope and plait loosely, tucking the ends under. Put on a lined tray.
10 minStep 4: Brush with 1 egg and prove for 1½ hours until doubled. Heat the oven to 350°F (300°F fan).
90 minStep 5: Brush again, scatter with 2 tbsp pearl sugar and bake for 25–30 minutes until deep golden and hollow-sounding underneath. Cover with foil if it browns too fast.
30 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 320 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 44 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does brioche vendéenne take?
- About 330 minutes in total: 300 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 10 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of strong white bread flour?
- Plain flour, same amount (the dough will be softer and rise a little less).
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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