Pumpkin Brioche with Chocolate Swirl
From time to time, I decide to make brioche. It’s not a weekly habit because, let’s be honest, a girl can’t afford to have bread as rich with butter as brioche is every single morning. But, occasionally, I find myself staring at my morning toast and wishing it was something like a big fluffy slice of this pumpkin brioche.
And then I start wishing I was in Paris eating brioche, and then I start wishing I was in Paris eating all of my favorite foods, and then I just curl up and cry. Okay, so I may have exaggerated with the crying bit (well, maybe), but you get the picture.
This pumpkin brioche with chocolate swirl, however, will dry up all those tears, and that’s not an exaggeration!
Pumpkin Brioche
This pumpkin brioche is pillow-y soft and light, with a crumb that’s golden and just a bit flaky. I had the idea in my head that brioche could only get better once flavored with pumpkin and filled with chocolate, and oh was I right. It is positively fantastic!
I know some people have a tough time making brioche, but the most difficult part of making it is being patient with the process. Otherwise, I think any mishaps with brioche are a result of a faulty recipe.
And I say that because I’ve seen quite a few brioche recipes out there with way too many eggs or too much milk, and in those cases, brioche can very easily go wrong.
But with the pumpkin brioche recipe I share today, I can confidently say that you will get a gorgeous loaf. If you’ve made cinnamon rolls before, then you’ll have no problem making this.
Classic brioche usually needs a night in the fridge for the yeast to do its magic, and I find this especially true with pumpkin brioche. The overnight rise allows the brioche to absorb all the pumpkin goodness and fall spices that contribute to its depth of flavor.
The dark chocolate is melted and mixed with a bit of sugar and cinnamon before being spread on the flattened dough. Then the dough is rolled up, split down the middle and braided before resting one last time.
As the pumpkin brioche bakes, the aroma of pumpkin will provoke your senses with excitement. The result is a perfectly golden brown pumpkin brioche with chocolate flowing out.
A gentle cut through the loaf once it’s cooled will reveal swirls of heavenly chocolate nestled in fluffy bread. The bread itself is buttery and yet slightly sweet from the pumpkin.
It’s a wonderful twist on classic brioche that you can delight in anytime this season when you’re feeling a bit indulgent.
Pumpkin Brioche with Chocolate Swirl
Fluffy, pumpkin-flavored brioche bread with dark chocolate swirled inside.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups + 2 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2.25 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp table salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature, plus 1 egg for the egg wash
- 1/4 cup whole milk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened, cut into 8 pieces , plus more for greasing the pan
for the chocolate swirl filling
- 3 oz dark chocolate
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and ground cinnamon over low speed with the paddle attachment in place. Add the eggs, milk, and pumpkin, then mix just until a dough starts to form.
- Remove the paddle attachment and swap for the hook attachment. Knead the dough on medium speed for 2 minutes. It should be firm and have pulled away from the sides of the bowl by the time you're done. If not, add a tablespoon of flour until it does. Dough should not, however, look dry - it should be very sticky.
- Now, with the mixer on medium-low speed, add in half of the butter slices. Continue to knead for 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and use a rubber spatula to somewhat fold the dough over the unmixed butter, trying to incorporate the butter into the dough as best as you can. Turn the mixer back onto medium-low speed and add the rest of the butter. Continue to mix for another 4 minutes.
- Turn the dough out onto a very lightly floured board. Fold the dough in towards the center at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Place the dough in a large, greased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Turn on your oven’s warm setting for 30 seconds before shutting off the oven, then placing the bowl of brioche in the oven. Close the oven door and let the dough rise in this warm, draft-free place for approximately 1 1/2 hours, or until the dough has almost doubled in size.
- Gently take the dough out and place it back on your lightly floured board. Again fold the dough in towards the center at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Place the dough back in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the brioche overnight.
- The next day, turn your dough out onto a lightly floured board. Roll the dough out into a 9 inch long and 7 inch wide rectangle.
- Create your chocolate filling by melting the chocolate in a bowl set over simmering water. Once the chocolate has melted, stir in the sugar and ground cinnamon. Use a brush or rubber spatula to spread this filling over the dough, leaving a 1/4 inch border clear along the edges of the dough.
- Roll the dough into a log, similar to a jellyroll or cinnamon roll, with the seam-side facing down. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Then, take a sharp knife and slice the log, vertically, straight down the middle, starting 1 inch from the top of the log. You should get a wishbone shape from the dough. Gently braid the two strands together before fitting the dough braid into a greased 1 lb. loaf pan.
- Cover the loaf pan with a light kitchen towel and let the dough proof for another 40 minutes to 1 hour. It's finished proofing when you can gently press down on the top of the dough with your finger and find the dough immediately springs back.
- Once proofed, lightly brush the top of the dough with a beaten egg. Bake the brioche at 375°F for approximately 25 minutes, until deep golden brown. To check for readiness, insert a toothpick in the center - it should come out clean. To enjoy, let the brioche come to room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 10 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 287
Believe it or not, I have never made brioche. That said, I can tell right away that we would be best friends, this brioche and myself. Holy Delicious, Batman! Looks like you’ve hit paydirt with flavor, taste, and seasonal greatness. Just fantastic!!
Thank you so much, Dan! Brioche is totally the popular kid when it comes to bread 😉 He’s great at woo-ing people over! :p
What a beautiful, beautiful loaf. And you know I love a good chocolate swirl. Your website is just so stunning, as are all your photos Beeta!
Thank you so much, Jess! That is so sweet of you to say, especially because I’m a big fan of YOUR blog! <3
Beeta, this looks AMAZING!! I love all things brioche, and when I saw this pumpkin + chocolate version, it became something I must make – can’t wait to try it! (it just screams fall) 🙂
Thanks so much, Lexi! Pumpkin and chocolate are a wonderful combination. Please let me know if you try the recipe! <3
You always inspire me, Beeta. It’s been far too long since I made brioche. Love how you’ve incorporated pumpkin and spices in this luxurious recipe. I can imagine how good it would be at breakfast or brunch. Your crumb looks absolutely gorgeous and the ribbons of chocolate running through it just increases the drool factor of this brioche. No doubt a practice in patience for this beauty. So worth it though! xx
Aww, thank you Traci! That is such a compliment. I bet your brioche is out of this world, I’d love to try a slice of yours! And even though patience isn’t my strongest point, I guarantee this bread is totally worth it! :p
Oh my goodness, what a delicious twist on brioche. Honestly, never made brioche myself, but now I’m dying to try this pumpkin version of yours. I’ll report back.
Oh, Shinee..you’d make an excellent brioche, I just know it! Please do let me know if you try your hand at it 🙂 Thanks so much!
Oh my lawd, it looks so good! I am so wishing for a piece. I often find myself staring at my morning toast and wishing it was anything else, bahahah.
lol, Hannah! You are too funny. Sometimes toast is just so uninspiring :p Thanks deary!
Ohh you had me at brioche! This loaf looks gorgeous, and I can’t get over that chocolate swirl with the autumnal spices. I love that you can leave it to rise overnight – bread recipes seem mentally so much more doable simply by being split over two days! And I hope you get to Paris soon so you can sit in a cafe watching passersby and eat all the brioche (and chocolate croissants…we can’t forget about those!). Hope your week goes well xx
Thank you so much, Claudia! I definitely know what you mean – when you can break down the steps for bread, it makes it seem much more do-able. 🙂 And what a dream to sit at a Parisian cafe with brioche and pain au chocolat…a girl can never go wrong in that scenario!
I was just thinking of making a fall inspired brioche the other day.. Beeta you have read my mind – we are always on the same wave-length! I must try your recipe, as you know any brioche is an instant winner in my books Xx
Oh I would love to see what you create – I’m sure it will be absolutely mouthwatering! And I agree, where there’s brioche, there’s happiness! :p Thanks love <3