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Cuchaule
Saffron brioche
Cuchaule: Fribourg saffron brioche for the Bénichon harvest feast
SwissCuchaule is the golden saffron brioche of the canton of Fribourg, baked for the Bénichon, the autumn feast that marks the herds coming down from the mountains and the end of the harvest. Thick slices are spread with moutarde de Bénichon, a sweet, spicy mustard made with vin cuit (cooked pear syrup), and eaten at the start of a long Bénichon meal. A common mistake is adding saffron threads whole, which leaves the brioche streaky. Chef's tip: steep the saffron in warm milk for 15 minutes before making the dough, so the colour is even and golden all through.
- Total time
- 75 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 10
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 ⅛ lb plain flour
- 2 ⅛ oz sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 2 ⅞ oz soft butter
- 1 egg yolkbeaten with 1 tbsp milk
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Steep oz saffron threads in 1 cup warm milk for 15 minutes.
15 minStep 2: Mix 1 ⅛ lb plain flour, ¼ oz fast-action dried yeast, 2 ⅛ oz sugar and 1 tsp salt. Add the saffron milk and 1 egg and knead 8 minutes, then knead in 2 ⅞ oz soft butter until silky. Common mistake: dry saffron; streaky colour. Rise 1½ hours.
10 minStep 3: Shape into a round loaf on a lined tray. Rise 45 minutes.
45 minStep 4: Heat the oven to 375°F (fan 350°F). Brush with 1 egg yolk and score a diamond pattern on top.
Step 5: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until deep golden and hollow-sounding. Cool on a rack.
35 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 46 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does cuchaule take?
- About 75 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 35 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 warm milk?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
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