A few weeks ago I got the nerve up to write the publishers of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking and see if they would be interested in having us do a review and giveaway of any of their books. It was a few weeks but a reply did come and they agreed to send us not one, but all three of the cookbooks in the series!
I have cooked the basic bread recipe for several years simply from their youtube video and have always received rave reviews from everyone who tasted it. Trying out their famed brioche dough was on my “must do” list that always turned into the “never do” list because I am a slacker. Well, in my defense I had made brioche once in culinary school and it was an extremely complicated task and it had so much butter in it that I thought it best not to do that to my waistline everyday.
But when I was finally going to be able to get my hands on these books I knew immediately what I would be cooking from them. Brioche. It would need to be a special occasion of course though because 5 pounds of brioche in my refrigerator was decadence that I personally am not capable of resisting.
The second community dinner proved to be the perfect occasion. Brioche hamburger buns. Yum.
Since I didn’t have any english muffin rings or a hamburger bun pan I tried forming them in two different ways. First I just free formed them as they suggested. This gave a nice roll but it wasn’t super even (let’s be honest, none of them were). I stumbled upon a blog (whom I cannot find right now so please send me a message if its yours!) where the gal actually formed the bun in two parts.
Basically you roll out the dough and cut it like biscuits and then top the bottom bun with an identical piece of dough on top. No eggwash or anything in between.
This proved to work great! The buns had a perfect definition between the top and bottom buns and were easily pulled apart by our guests (read: less prep work for you!).
I topped them with an eggwash and poppy seeds before baking and they were just beautiful. The dough was sweet from the honey and so tender. It was perfectly buttery but not flaky, and definitely not greasy like some brioche I have had. It had a great amount of air in it but also was thick enough that it had good density to hold up to the toppings.
They also had great squishability–yes that is a word! With a burger this big that’s an important factor:
We served fried sweet potato fries and spicy sriracha dipping sauce with the teriyaki pineapple burger. It garnered comments like, “the best burger of my life” and “you made these buns!??! Guys! She made these buns!! These are homemade buns!”
Yes its true. With this book you too can make some tasty buns.
We also have made the tortillas and naan from the book which were both so tasty they were immediately devoured before photos could be snapped.
The books are each absolutely packed with recipes. I won’t be requesting any bread books anytime soon….it’s highly likely it will take you several years to get through this series.
Hat’s off to Zoe and Jeff….I feel like we are friends already just from reading your books and your blog. Which is excellent by the way: www.ArtisanBreadinFive.com
Thanks for the chance to test out your masterpieces, its been an honor and pleasure!
Without further ado here is your chance to win a copy of their original book!
I’m always looking for bread recipies. This would be a perfect book to add to my collection.
I LOVE BREAD! I really love garlic bread. I need to start reading things before I post comments, I was just so excited for a chance to win that book.
Haha. I love it! I do that too no worries. I haven’t forgotten about your project either Elizabeth. It must have failed the brain to paper transfer process which means it floated off into never never land. On the paper now. You should see it soon!
Thank you! I’ve used this book as a baking bible and had not tried that idea with the brioche dough.
I love bread! My favorite version is to make the brioche dough and fill it with lemon curd and strawberry preserves, then top with a cream cheese glaze. They are yummy!
Lemon curd and strawberry preserves. Holy smokes. It’s like a strawberry lemonade pie. You must send me this recipe!!
♥ dani
I LOVE BREAD! This sounds delicious! I’ve never made lemon curd…
I LOVE BREAD!! All kinds – have the book – love it, but don’t get near enough chances to use it. I have been making sourdough starter bread for over 10 years, now – and then, my starter died! Having to wait 3 more weeks to get some, I am GOING to try a bread (probably not the brioche) from Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes
I have been experimenting with hamburger buns this summer but hadn’t thought of using the brioche dough. I have been using a standard dough and buttering the top when they come out of the oven. They are good the first day but do not keep well. How do the brioche ones taste the second day?
Idy Kiser
Well only half of one made it to the next day haha. And it was stuck in the tupperware with the other half of my burger I couldn’t finish. But even with that torture it held up really well and was still delicious. I recommend the eggwash, I’ve had trouble getting that nice top color with some of their other breads.
I LOVE BREAD!!!!!! Especially the French baguette… Mmmmmmmm! Do like a nice brioche, though! ;o)
I love their books. Had me baking my bread in no time!
I LOVE BREAD!!! There is nothing more satisfying then fresh baked bread! Favorite bread is hard… What comes to mind are the hearty rustic breads, but something quite different may be challah bread stuffed with Nutella that I had occasion to learn how to make recently.
Thank you for the opportunity to win these books! And thanks for the great post too!
Suzanne
I borrowed this book from the Library. I’d love to have my own copy!!!!
I can’t wait to try these rolls. Great idea to form the dough in two parts! I purchased Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day a couple of years ago and I bake almost all of my own breads. So easy, and always get rave reviews! Would LOVE to own the whole set.
I LOVE BREAD! And pizza dough! There is always a tub of one or the other or both in my frig from Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day! Having that fresh pizza dough makes for a quick and delicious (and inexpensive and better for you) dinner on nights when there just isn’t time to “cook”!
I love making bread and experimenting with different types of flour. I am looking forward to trying out new bread recipes and pizza dough.
I love just about any type of bread. My daughter uses the 5 minute method and her bread is so yummy. I would love to be able to make this type of bread.
Great idea. I have their Hbi5 book and it’s awesome! I have some of their challah in the fridge now & want to try these buns with it!
I love Bread. I love Amish friendship bread with lots of fruit and nuts. I especially like the idea of sharing starter with friends and family.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish_Friendship_Bread
I LOVE BREAD! My favorite is bread bowls to put soup in.
I’m a breadaholic, having lived in New York for 30+ years. We relocated to South Carolina and so miss my breads and bagels. I’ve done some baking and this book is just my speed! The brioche is on my list of things to make. Yum!
I LOVE BREAD! All Kinds. I tried a paleo diet to get healthier and realized after a few days I just couldn’t do it if
I LOVE BREAD! All Kinds. I tried a paleo diet to get healthier and realized after a few days I just couldn’t do it if I couldn’t have bread.
I borrowed this book from the library and made a couple of recipes, and they were great.
I LOVE BREAD. these buns look perfect–there is nothing worse than a too-sweet prefab bun.
I LOVE BREAD! I love it so much, it’s hard to choose a favorite. I really love making a good, soft and chewy pizza crust–or tweaking it to become garlic bread.
my roomie loves the artisan breads, i love the healthy breads and we both drool over the pizzas. when i make bread, this feeling washes over me, like being next to GOD. breathing is easy. ha! that’s me – cooking :}
I love bread!!! My favorite kind is pita bread. My mom is always talking about these books and I’ve borrowed them a few and would love to add them to my own collection!! I love to bake and cook it has become my passion ever since I got married in November of last year!!
I LOVE BREAD! My fav is garlic bread but I have to say that 5 mins brioche is an extremly close 2nd. My kids love to be able to roll up a few balls and put them in the oven for quik morning tea. They want monkey bread next time.
I have pizza dough down, but I’m still working on a loaf of bread all my family will enjoy. Maybe one of these books can help.
I LOVE bread! Lol wheat rolls
I love the pages of this book I’ve seen! Everything is clear, simple, easy to follow and very motivating!
The authors’ enthusiasm makes you feel like you’re visiting their kitchen and smelling the baking bread. Love it!
I LOOVVE ALL BREAD! Warm squishy rolls, crusty craggy loaves, fragrant garlic bread, sweet breads, sour dough, rye, flatbreads, lightly toasted warm whole wheat with a smear of cold melting butter or clotted cream with honey..heaven! these books are great- true treasures and I would SO love to own them all!
I love all breads!
I Love Bread! Because of how it makes your family & friends feel.
Especially breakfast breads like Cinnamon Rolls and Hot Biscuits with homemade jam.
I LOVE BREAD! Especially warm from the oven!
Oh I hope I win this!! My sister in law is obsessed with this book and the recipes are always SO good!
I believe, down to my shoes, that every child should know (and love) the smell of bread baking in the oven. It’s one ingredient of a happy childhood. I’d love to win a copy of this book!
I LOVE BREAD! My husband will hardly eat a meal without a great slice of french bread! I’d love to win a copy of this book. I know it would make him super happy!! (as well as me)
I LOVE BREAD!!! I do really love bread and I have a new cooking stone to cook it on now so this book would be wonderful in my collection!
I LOVE BREAD!!! DAD LOVES BREAD….I think it is pretty hands down, our entire clan loves bread. I want this book
I have been using their Healthy Bread in 5 min a day and LOVE it! You are inspiring me to get my breads going again….life gets so busy that you stop….the entire concept of their 5 minutes a day is so you can have your “bread” (cake) lol and eat it too 
I love bread. I am a huge fan of whole wheat bread.
I love bread and especially homemade bread that I’d make much more often if I could do it quickly and easily. A good French bread is my favorite.
I LOVE BREAD! My favorites are Sourdough and Italian bread. Our family always has some sort of bread in the house whether it’s banana nut bread or some pan de agua that was on sale at the store. I’d love to learn how to make some bread on my own as well though.
I LOVE BREAD! I love a rustic loaf with a nice crust
I LOVE BREAD – any kind, but my fave is pumpernickel
I love bread! My favorite is cranberry walnut bread. Yum!
I LOVE BREAD,love Italian bread
I LOVE BREAD! rustic sourdough is my favorite!!
I love bread! I am a huge fan of squaw bread but it is so hard to find.
I LOVE BREAD! Right now I’m going thru the Pretzel bread stage. A few months ago my favorite bread was sour dough. Who knows what it’ll be in a few months!
Thanks.
I LOVE BREAD! My favorite is a nice, crusty bread fresh from the oven with lots of butter. Does it get any better than that?
I love raisin bread!
i love bread, especially jalapeno cheddar bread