Pink Praline Brioche

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk , 100°F to 110°F
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp dehydrated potato flakes
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 eggs , lightly beaten
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter , cubed
• 1 cup Pink Praline
• 1 egg yolk

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine yeast and warm milk. Let stand for 10 minutes or until frothy. Transfer to a stand mixer with a dough hook. (You can do this by hand but the dough is quite sticky).
2. Add flour, sugar, potato flakes, salt, and eggs.
3. Beat dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, adding up to ¼ cup more flour if dough is extremely sticky. (It will eventually get less sticky as the gluten in the flour develops).
4. Add the butter and mix until just incorporated. If it still is in clumps, it will be incorporated at the next stage.
5. Turn the dough onto well-floured surface.
6. Knead until butter is combined and no longer sticky. Form into ball. Transfer to a greased bowl and let it rise in a warm, draft free area for 1½ hours or until doubled in bulk.
7. Punch down and let stand for 10 minutes.
8. Reserve a piece of dough, about 4 oz, and form into ball. Set aside.
9. Press or roll out remaining dough on lightly floured surface.
10. Put the praline in a sealed plastic bag and crush with a mallet. Reserve ¼ cup.
11. Spread the remaining praline over half of the dough. Fold dough over and press to enclose praline. Continue folding over to incorporate pralines, and shape it into ball.
12. Place in greased brioche pan. Top with reserved ball of dough.
13. Let rise in draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
14. Whisk egg yolk with 1 tsp water and use it to brush the surface of the brioche. Sprinkle with reserved praline.
15. Bake in centre of 350°F oven for 40 to 50 minutes until golden and sounds hollow when tapped.
16. If top gets too brown, cover with foil the last 10 to 20 minutes of baking.
17. Let cool for 30 minutes. Remove from mould and let cool completely.