Kochtopf kindly brought it to our attention that today is World Bread Day - surely no baker could let this day go by without a tribute to the staff of life?
While I have a deep reverence for the magic that can be spun out of just flour, yeast, water, and salt, I admit I fall more into the pâtissier than the boulanger side of baking. There used to be quite a strict distinction, even rivalry, between these two disciplines in France, with the pâtissiers disdaining the physical drudgery of kneading and baking bread doughs, the boulangers scorning the frou-frou excesses of butter, sugar, and other frippery in the pâtissiers' creations. Happily a truce was reached between the two factions over the years, to the benefit of all the French, and today almost all bakeries you find in Paris are pâtisseries-boulangeries. Even in Pierre Hermé's chic shop you will find, behind the macarons and the eclairs and cakes, baskets of croissants and pain au chocolat. Similarly, though you may be drawn to Poilâne for their baguettes, their bâtards, their pain au levain, there will be some charming apple tarts and chocolate bouchons tempting you at the counter.
I can think of no better fusion of pastry and bread than that glorious creation known as brioche, that fluffy, sweet, golden breakfast delight. Some of my favorite bloggers have already written about the glories of this bread; I can only add that it's worth every minute you have to wait while it is mixing in the bowl, proofing in the refrigerator, and baking up into a buttery-fragrant, burn-your-fingers-while-pulling-it-apart pocket of heaven.
The traditional forms of brioche are either a loaf or the charming brioche à tête, which always looks like a child's weeble-wobble toy to me, with its jaunty topknot perched atop a fluted base. If, however, even all the eggs and butter stuffed into a typical brioche recipe are not enough for you (and this is no diet food, believe me), there are numerous more ways to ratchet up the decadence factor.
Tarte Tropziénne
One of my very favorite applications of brioche is the Tarte Tropézienne, a dessert from Saint-Tropez in the South of France. A circular loaf of brioche is sliced in half and filled with a mixture of whipped cream, pastry cream, and a touch of honey. The tart is intimidatingly tall but the components so feathery light you can consume an entire slice and be eyeing another. This version, taken from Desserts by Pierre Herme
Coffeecake
This coffeecake from Sherry Yard's Secrets of Baking
Tagged with: brioche + Tarte Tropezienne + coffeecake + world bread day '06
What a lovely contribution! Ok - I wouldn't think of bread when eating a Tarte Tropézienne (which I love and which reminds me always of wonderful summerdays in Saint Tropez) but perhaps I should: bread is very healthy, isn't it ? ;-)
Posted by: Cascabel | October 16, 2006 at 02:24 PM
Dear Anita, It's turned very chilly in NYC and these warm beautiful Brioche look just the thing to warm us all up
BRAVO!
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | October 16, 2006 at 02:32 PM
These are beautiful - I had no idea that brioches were so versatile! I'd refrained from trying them as I do not own any of those little moulds, but I think the coffeecake is definetely worth a shot!
Posted by: Ellie | October 16, 2006 at 03:31 PM
beautiful!
Posted by: Kat | October 16, 2006 at 04:04 PM
What a great addtition to World Bread Day!
Posted by: peabody | October 16, 2006 at 05:23 PM
OH!
It's all so beautiful ... I think brioche has to be my very favourite breakfast bread.
You're an artist!
Posted by: Ivonne | October 16, 2006 at 07:13 PM
I'm drooling on my keyboard! Awesome pictures....
~Traca
Posted by: Traca | October 17, 2006 at 12:53 AM
Wonderful brioche!! If you ever come to Paris, maybe we could open together one of these boulangerie pâtisserie because i personally fall more into the boulanger side ;)
And btw, in a french bakery, it's the baker who makes all the danishes: croissants, brioche, pains au chocolat, pains aux raisins, etc..
I love your blog!
Posted by: avital | October 17, 2006 at 07:16 AM
Gorgeous breads, I'd love to sample some of each!
Posted by: Bron | October 17, 2006 at 03:08 PM
Everything looks so tasty!
Posted by: Brilynn | October 18, 2006 at 10:22 AM
I love everything about brioches: their smell, their texture, I love making them, I love eating them...and I love making and eating Tarte Tropezienne. I kinda got The Man with this dessert!
Great entry!
Posted by: Helen | October 18, 2006 at 07:33 PM
Looks delicious!
Posted by: dileku | October 19, 2006 at 01:21 AM
And I thought plain brioche was good. I need some delicious fillings in my brioche next time!
Posted by: Natalia | October 19, 2006 at 07:02 PM
wonderful breads!
Posted by: eliza | October 20, 2006 at 09:59 PM
What a lovely set of bread, tarte tropézienne, so nice! I have not had one in ages!
Posted by: Bea at La Tartine Gourmande | October 21, 2006 at 03:03 PM
These photos are absolutely mouth watering, especially the last one! I so want to make brioche but alas, I don't have a mixer (everything is by hand) and my bread books say one is a must. Someday!
Posted by: Ari (Baking and Books) | October 21, 2006 at 04:55 PM
hi Anita,
what a beautiful pictures and writing - that coffeecake looks amazing(!)
I’ve never made brioches, but will definitely try soon - can't think of a better way to start my day...=)
Posted by: Julia | October 25, 2006 at 07:15 AM
I've just come back from France where I ate a lot of bread including brioche. I was expecting something spectacular but I'm happy to say that the brioche baked at home is even better than that made elsewhere. Excellent photos, Anita. I particularly like the cover photo.
Posted by: lori | October 25, 2006 at 10:01 AM
Cascabel,
Lucky you got to eat the real thing! Of course a bread so delicious must be healthy, right?:)
Carol,
Thank you! Yes, warm brioche on cold morning = heaven!
Ellie,
The molds are actually pretty simple to use, but yes, you don't need them to enjoy brioche! Try the coffeecake - I think you'll love it!
Kat,
Thank you!
Peabody,
Thanks! It was a fun inspiration!
Ivonne,
It's hard to beat brioche for breakfast! Thanks for your compliments!
Traca,
Thank you! The coffeecake pretty much shot itself, the shape was so unique!
Avital,
Thanks so much for your compliments! When I manage to return to Paris, I would be honored to bake and eat with you!:)
Bron,
Thank you! These were big breads; I wish there was a way to share them in the blogosphere!
Brilynn,
Thank you! I'm glad you liked them.
Helen,
That is awesome you got your man with tarte tropezienne - he is one lucky guy!
dileku,
Thank you for your kind comments!
Natalia,
You would think just brioche is rich enough - I'm amazed at all the recipes filling them with more goodies. Thanks for your compliments!
Eliza,
Thank you!
Bea,
Thank you! I'm envious you've gotten to eat the real thing!
Ari,
I would definitely say a mixer is needed for brioche - but it'll be an investment you'll use forever and love!
Julia,
Thank you! Brioche is definitely worth making at home - easier than it seems and tastes heavenly fresh!
Lori,
You seem to enjoy the most amazing pastries at home - I love reading about them. Thanks for your kind comments!
Posted by: Anita | November 09, 2006 at 04:51 PM