Sneak Preview: Your friends will be thrilled when you share this Pumpkin Brioche Twist recipe made with the help of your Bread machine. Ingredients include pumpkin puree, all-purpose flour, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and, of course, ample butter. This makes a small loaf, so it’s perfect for compact bread machines as well as 2-pound machines.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Do you ever gaze at artisanal bread in the display case at a good bakery and wish you could replicate it? I used to dream of making brioche with a bread machine but not anymore.

When it comes to brioche, I want the real thing with lots of eggs and even more butter. That’s what makes a rich and tender crumb. This recipe is in the 45% range when you figure the percentage of fat compared to the total weight of the flour. This brioche epitomizes enriched bread.

When I saw Trader Joe’s pumpkin brioche, I became obsessed with creating my own recipe using a bread machine. Since I already have a bread machine recipe for brioche, it was just a matter of adding pumpkin and some spices–sorta.

I’ve lost count, but at least 9-10 batches later, I finally nailed it! Now I’m excited for you to try it.

Dust off your bread machine. You’ll need it to handle the super sticky Dough.

Following an overnight stay in the refrigerator, I’ll show you how to shape the dough without losing your mind. After a final rise, bake this twisted loaf in your conventional oven. Bread machines aren’t ideal when it comes to baking this delicate, decadent, and beautifully sparkly (thanks to coarse sugar on top) bread.

Happy Bakers Speak Up:

“Paula! That bread is wonderful! Bill and I had some after lunch and then called it dessert after dinner. No need to freeze it! Sounds like a delicious breakfast. Even though I don’t eat in the morning, I will force myself. So yummy! Thank you so much!”–P.C.

Ingredients and substitutions:

• BUTTER: Use unsalted butter. Substitutes may yield unpredictable results. Because of the amount of butter needed, using salted butter makes the bread too salty.
• MILK: Use dairy milk with any fat content. You will only use ¼ cup, so it won’t make much difference. There’s no need to warm the milk.
• FLOUR: Stick to all-purpose unbleached flour; avoid bread flour to prevent excessive chewiness.
• PUMPKIN: I tested the recipe with commercially canned pumpkin puree. If you want to make your own pumpkin puree, be diligent to drain it of all excess water. Substitute pureed winter squash.
• EGGS: This recipe uses two large eggs (not three, as shown in the picture above). The weight of a large egg can vary. You may have to adjust your dough during the kneading phase if the eggs deviate significantly from 50 grams each.
• SUGAR: Opt for granulated or light brown sugar; halve the amount if you prefer less sweetness.
• SALT: Sea salt or table salt is fine. For Kosher salt, add an extra ¼ teaspoon.
• YEAST: Use instant or bread machine yeast. If you want to substitute active-dry yeast, see this post for more information.
• CONFECTIONERS’ SUGAR: Powdered sugar works wonders as a filling inside bread with my Cinnamon-Raisin loaf. The layers don’t separate as easily. It works the same way with this brioche twist.
• PUMPKIN PIE SPICE: Use your favorite brand, make it yourself, or substitute plain cinnamon. Omit if preferred.
• HEAVY CREAM: Heavy cream works as a “glue” to help the filling stick to the dough, glaze the bread, and attach the coarse sugar to the top of the bread. Milk can substitute for cream.
• COARSE SUGAR: Coarse or sanding sugar masks imperfections in the shaping process, imparts sweetness, and contributes a shimmering quality. Substitute granulated or raw sugar if necessary, but you won’t get the same sparkling effect.

Kitchen secrets for success when making brioche with a bread machine:

1. Keeping the ingredients and resulting dough from getting too warm is key. Start with chilled eggs, pumpkin, and butter. Cool the Tangzhong paste by mixing it with cold pumpkin. If your kitchen is very warm, chill the bread machine pan and consider chilling the flour, too.
2. Brioche dough doesn’t become smooth and shiny in the bread machine like regular bread dough. Look at the video, process pictures, and the directions. Be cautious about adding more flour during the DOUGH cycle as it may change the character of this bread.
3. Avoid salted butter unless you prefer salty bread.
4. Refrigerate the dough after the conclusion of the DOUGH cycle to make it easier to handle and develop the flavor.
5. Prep the filling and gather equipment before shaping the dough; work swiftly to prevent stickiness.
6. Use a cheap silicone baking mat for an easier roll-out and clean-up.
7. Use an 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan for this recipe for the prettiest loaf. I love and use USA pans because nothing sticks to them, and they produce an evenly browned but tender crust. Otherwise, cut a piece of parchment paper the size of the bottom of your pan or make a paper sling; when the filling leaks out of the bread while baking, it turns into super glue!
8. This recipe utilizes the Tanghzong technique, which results in a flakier loaf that stays fresh a bit longer. It’s not difficult and only takes an extra minute. My Tangzhong dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls also use this technique to great advantage.

How to make Bread Machine Pumpkin Brioche with a Twist:

Squish the butter through your fingers, about two tablespoons at a time, to make sure it readily blends with the dough. As Grandma would say, don’t be lollygaggin’ around with this step–do it quickly, without dumping all the butter in at once. You don’t want the butter to get too soft, nor do you want to overwhelm the dough, causing the butter to leak out later.

I love wearing surgical gloves to do this. They make playing with butter more fun.

Do you see how sticky this dough appears? Brioche dough doesn’t follow the rules of traditional yeast bread dough.

If you add too much flour to eliminate stickiness, your bread will not be light and airy with a texture characteristic of brioche. Conversely, if the dough doesn’t pull away from the sides at all, the dough will not knead properly, hindering gluten development needed to support the other ingredients.

This is a crucial time in the bread-making process. Gauging whether your dough requires more flour or water requires some experience to refine your judgment for each specific recipe.

Once the DOUGH cycle concludes, transfer the dough to a large bowl. Use a spatula to gently fold the dough over, releasing any trapped air and working around the dough’s edges. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for a minimum of four hours, up to twenty-four hours.

KITCHEN TIP If you’re pressed for time and can supervise, you can accelerate the chilling process in the freezer. However, be vigilant not to allow the dough to freeze. Every 30 minutes, rotate the dough within the bowl until it reaches a cold, firm state, typically taking about an hour, depending on the temperature of your freezer.

Shaping the Pumpkin Brioche Twist:

Use your hands to gently press the dough to achieve an even level throughout the pan. Don’t fret if it doesn’t appear flawless; the coarse sugar will conceal imperfections. Then, cover it with an inexpensive shower cap or a tea towel and let the dough undergo one more rise. The final rise is crucial, so avoid skipping it, as it ensures your bread won’t turn out dense and doughy.

You could also sprinkle with regular sugar, but the coarse sugar is delicious, impressive, and a camouflage for shaping mistakes.

Bake at 375˚F (190˚C) for 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 190-195˚F (88-91˚C). If the top is over-browning, cover it with foil halfway through the baking time.

FAQs for Pumpkin Brioche Bread with a Twist:

Parting Thoughts: Don’t let this recipe intimidate you, even if you’re a beginner. While this unique dough may demand some practice, you’re more than capable of mastering it. The sense of accomplishment from achieving something not everyone can do makes the effort worthwhile.

Alternatively, for a simpler pumpkin yeast bread, consider my Glazed Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls recipe. Just swap out the mashed sweet potatoes with pumpkin and add pumpkin pie spice. Shape the dough to your liking, allow it to rise once more, and bake in your oven. That same dough would be perfect for crafting delectable cinnamon rolls.