Recipe for traditional brioche des rois by Éric Kayser

The Brioche des Rois is shared with family or friends in the South of France at the start of the year during Epiphany.
It’s a delicious brioche flavored with orange blossom water and decorated with sugar and candied fruits.
And don’t forget the fève and the crown to properly celebrate your queens and kings.

The Recipe:
Start by pouring all the liquids into the bowl of your mixer: eggs, sourdough starter, and orange blossom water.

Add the yeast and flour.

Start the mixer at medium speed.

Add the salt and sugar.

Then, add the thick cream.

Meanwhile, knead the butter with your hand to soften it.

Once the dough detaches cleanly from the bowl, reduce the speed to the first setting and add the butter in small pieces.

Return to medium speed until the butter is fully incorporated into the dough.

Switch back to the first speed, then add the fruit cubes and raisins. Do not mix too long to avoid damaging the ingredients in the dough.

Stop the mixer and use a dough scraper to remove the dough. Place it on your lightly floured work surface.

To check if your brioche dough is perfectly kneaded, take a small piece in your hand. You should be able to shape it into a smooth ball without tearing.

Shape the dough into a ball. Place it in a mixing bowl covered with a clean cloth.
Let it rest for two hours.

Remove the dough using a scraper and place it on your lightly floured work surface.

Divide the ball into 2 portions.
Shape each portion into a ball.
Let them rest on the floured surface for about 30 minutes.

Pierce the center of the dough ball with your palm or elbow.
Stretch the dough by widening the hole with your hands while degassing it at the same time.

Place the brioches on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a four-finger space between each crown.

Brush the brioches with beaten egg.
Let them proof for two hours.

Brush the dough with egg wash again before baking.

Bake for 25 minutes at 200°C.

Once cooled, insert the fève into the brioche using a knife.

Brush the brioche with jam (without chunks; blend it if needed).

Decorate the brioches with whole candied fruits.

Finish by sprinkling sugar grains along the sides of the brioches.

All that’s left is to gather your loved ones and let fate decide the king or queen of your day.

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