Pumpkin Pie Brioche

I told myself that I wouldn't join anymore baking/cooking groups. I have my hands full with the few I'm in and really didn't have time for anymore. I don't know why I tell myself these things because I usually don't listen. Like this time. When Michelle of Big Black Dogs announced that she was creating a bread baking group for Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day...I knew I had to join. About 6 months ago, I unearthed the bread machine my parents had given me oh about 10 years ago and I've been baking my own bread since. I haven't bought store bread at all in that time (except for tortillas of course!).

While I do not own the first book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, I've followed both authors on Twitter for awhile as well as both Zoe Bakes and Artisan Bread in Five. So with the announcement of this new group, I had to get the new book and join in so I could bake my own bread quickly, easily, and most of all with healthy ingredients.

Our first official post baking from the book is not until January 15, 2010 because of the holidays but we are not sitting on our hands waiting! Both Jeff and Zoe have offered up 2 recipes for us bake in the mean time. Our first special recipe is from Zoe and is Pumpkin Pie Brioche. My mouth started watering the moment I heard it. Pumpkin Pie in bread form?! Oh yeah...this is so my kind of bread. I am a huge pumpkin pie fan (Thanksgiving is NOT complete without it!). Actually, I am just a huge pumpkin fan so getting to use it in different ways is always a hit with me.

I was a little nervous because this was my first time making bread with this method but really...it was not hard at all. I mixed the bread up quickly and had it resting in no time. Thank goodness you have so leeway on when you bake because I was unable to for a few days. As soon as I could though, I cut off a cantaloupe size portion and let it rest for 90 minutes.

The bread baked up just fine. I was anticipating having issues there but once again I was just fine. The hardest part of everything was waiting for the loaf to cool. It looked and smelled wonderfully and I wanted a taste! Alas, I managed to wait so I wouldn't mess it up when I cut a slice!

When it was finally cool, I cut myself a nice big slice (purely for testing purposes!) and had at it. But...it didn't taste like pumpkin. If I hadn't baked it and saw myself putting it in, I would not have known beyond guessing at the color. hmm...did I do something wrong perhaps? Mis-measure the pumpkin or spices? I check the HBin5 google group and found I wasn't the only one who had this issue. The consensus seems to be to up the spices next time and see if that works. Another member suggested adding in some maple syrup instead of the honey.

Despite it not tasting very pumpkiny (hmmm...I don't think that's a word), I was satisfied with the bread. The taste was still delicious and very briochey (hmmm...I don't think that's a word either). With a little honey butter, the taste was amazing. I was also happy with the texture of the bread. It was dense but not overly so.  It would make a perfect french toast or bread pudding.  I may have to test out the bread pudding theory soon.

To see the recipe for pumpkin pie brioche, visit Big Black Dog or pick up a copy of Healthy Bread in Five.  You can also find more information about joining HBin5 here.