Saturday, November 14, 2009

HBinFive: Pumpkin Pie Brioche

I'd been wanting to get the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day co-authored by Zoe François and Jeff Hertzberg for a while. Then I noticed that a new book was coming also, Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Recently, I got a great deal on both of them from a book club I belong to. You know how sometimes you want something for a while and finally get around to getting it for yourself, and then it is sort of anti-climatic because you spent so long building it up and you're let down and wish you hadn't spent the money on it? Well, I certainly know that feeling, but I'm happy to say that wasn't the case at all with these books. I'm so happy with them! I look through them and want to try nearly every recipe. Then I came across a group called HBinFive that has been organized to cook its way through Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Every two weeks they are going to pick a recipe to try out, and everyone can share their yummy creations. So what else was there to do but join in? Although the group isn't officially starting baking until January, there are going to be recipes posted for November and December. I figured I'd give this a test run along with the others who are getting their feet wet early. As usual, I had an eager helper for my bread-making efforts. He liked the picture on the front of the "Healthy Breads" book because he saw that the lady on the front also has a "helper" but said, "It's not Finn."


The Pumpkin Pie Brioche recipe has been posted as a bonus recipe on the Big Black Dog blog (where the HBinFive group is originating from). This recipe had caught my eye in the book, and I was going to make it as one of my first recipes anyhow. So this worked out well for me. Unfortunately, Paul doesn't like pumpkin! So he'll have to suffer through this one, but I'm sure he'll be completely on board by the time we get around to the chocolate espresso whole wheat bread.

I was able to get some white wheat flour from Kroger's yesterday when we took a little shopping trip out of town--can't get it locally. I've been wanting to try this white wheat flour since I heard about it, but lack of local availability had hindered me. I was pleased to find Kroger had several brands to choose from and even has their own store label of it. That and some canned pumpkin were the only ingredients I didn't already have on hand.

Yesterday, my parents picked up some 6 quart covered tubs for me from Sam's Club that I can mix and store my dough in. They were a steal compared to what some of the baking supply sites charge. Amazon is offering a set of two for $16.95, but they are a pre-order, and the page says they may not ship for 7-10 weeks. I saw several posts on different boards from folks who said they found containers at Sam's Club. So I was more than happy when my parents picked these up for me at the incredible deal of 3 tubs with covers for $12! Now I just need a bigger fridge, so I can get multiple batches of dough going at the same time.

Before I could get my pumpkin pie brioche groove on, I had to bake the dough that I put in the fridge the other day--Soft whole wheat sandwich bread. The recipe makes enough dough for two loaves and considering the way my family can tear through a loaf of fresh bread, I just put them both in the oven today to free up the space in my fridge so I could get the other dough going. The only problem I'm having so far with the book is that you are supposed to wait until the bread has completely cooled before slicing--so not happening! I like that the wheat bread is made using honey instead of sugar, and it's got a lovely crust for cutting up for sandwiches. And the taste? Delicious! Tested and approved by each member of the quality control team family.

I haven't baked the pumpkin pie brioche dough yet, but I'm really looking forward to trying it. The dough is finishing its rise right now and then I will stick it in the fridge overnight and hopefully make a loaf tomorrow. The recipe is supposed to make two 2lb loaves.



Ps. Don't forget that my one year blogiversary giveaway ends tonight. Enter here if you haven't already!

Edited to add:
I got up before everyone else today to make a loaf of the pumpkin pie brioche. I didn't have any raw sugar like it called for as a topping, so I just used sugar and some pumpkin pie spice and sprinkled it liberally over the top of the bread. It smelled delicious as it was baking. As usual, I couldn't wait for it to cool and had to cut myself off a slice while it was toasty warm and slap some butter on it. Yummy! The sugar and spice topping made a crunchy sweet crust on the top of the bread that is my favorite part. Would anyone miss the top if I just cut it off to eat first? As several others had mentioned the pumpkin flavor not coming through very strongly, I talked Paul into trying it. He said it was good tasting, but I think the thought of eating pumpkin still bothered him because he didn't tuck into it like he would have another loaf of bread.

And because I got a lot of comments about the containers I got from Sam's Club, here's a better picture of the container showing the dough right before it went into the fridge. Don't count on the employees at Sam's to know what you are looking for because my parents asked about them and couldn't get any help. Eventually they located them in the restaurant supplies area. Made by Rubbermaid in three sizes--the six quart size happens to be the medium size. There are markings on the side showing the quarts.

13 comments:

brokenteepee November 14, 2009 at 11:14 PM  

I just got this cookbook myself. I have had the first one for a while...

Michelle November 14, 2009 at 11:23 PM  

WOW...you really have a lot of bread going at one time! I have 2 refrigerators and still have problems finding room for my 1 tub!

I'll check in later tomorrow to see if your pictures are up. No hurry!

Unknown November 14, 2009 at 11:27 PM  

I can't wait to get both books. I feel like i'm running blind and sorta feeling why way with just the recipe as a guide. Cant wait to see what you think of the pumpkin pie brioche :)

SavoringTime in the Kitchen November 15, 2009 at 8:54 AM  

I didn't know Sam's carried 6 qt tubs! I bought my covered containers with measurement marks in the paint department at Ace Hardware. I think they may have only been about $3 each.

Megan November 15, 2009 at 9:26 AM  

OK, Finis just adorable. My "helper" grew up andd rolls her eye's at me when I ask if she wants to help. It's a teen condition I hope she outgrows soon. LOL
Good to know about the buckets. I'm using a huge tupperware bowl that takes to up way to much room.
Good luck with the bread baking!

Unknown November 15, 2009 at 10:15 AM  

What an adorable helper!

Joanne November 15, 2009 at 4:38 PM  

I haven't bought the cookbook yet but I will probably get the artisan book with it as well. Anything to get that super shipper saving on Amazon! I love that you have so much bread in the oven (err fridge) and I can't wait to see how your pumpkin bread turns out!

Kim November 15, 2009 at 5:25 PM  

I'm right there with you on waiting for the bread to cool down. Sometimes I just can't help myself ;D I'm looking forward to seeing how you enjoyed your bread.

Heather S-G November 15, 2009 at 7:13 PM  

Well, I'm definitely taking a trip to Sam's!! I have to order my book now...so that I can make more than just what's posted, too ;) Sounds good.

Cathy (Bread Experience) November 15, 2009 at 8:23 PM  

Thanks for the tip about the tubs at Sams. That's good to know. I look forward to seeing all the beautiful breads you'll be making.

RJ Flamingo November 15, 2009 at 10:14 PM  

I know what you mean - I play a ot of "refrigerator chess," myself
1

Judy November 16, 2009 at 9:26 AM  

OMG - you're son is soooooooooo cute!! I can't wait to have grandchild to bake with!

GA Jane November 16, 2009 at 9:33 AM  

You went to so much trouble to find the flour and containers. I know we'll have fun working our way though Zoe and Jeff's HBin5.

About This Blogger

I am a thirty-something mother of two girls and a boy ranging from preschool to middle school. My husband and I keep working and reworking on our goal of raising our family healthier. Our house is a constant work under construction--adding on and remodeling. We're happy to have bought our property a few years ago, but as any homeowners know, owning a home just adds to your list of projects and chores because there's always improvements to be made and maintenance to be done. On our burgeoning homestead, we have chickens, guineas, a few goats, and our most recent additions-rabbits.
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About This Blog

I picked the name Petalz and Finz a couple years ago when I decided to try Etsy out. I wanted to custom make some baby related items and have things for girls and boys. I felt the name incorporated both my kids (at the time) into it--petalz for Ivy and finz for Finn.

I haven't had time to do much of anything with my Etsy for a while, but it's still my in my long term goals. In the mean time, I'm having fun with this blog thing. I've found some creative inspiration through my own posting, but also through many other wonderful blogs out there.
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