Baked Plums On Brioche Food

BRIOCHE BREAKFAST BAKE WITH CRISPY BACON

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, maple syrup, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Tip about two-thirds of the blueberries into a baking dish (about 20cm x 30cm) that is quite deep. Dip each brioche piece into the egg mixture until well soaked, then arrange on top on the blueberries and pour any remaining egg mixture over the top. Scatter over the remaining blueberries. Cover with cling film and chill for 1 hr, or overnight if serving it for breakfast.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Uncover the dish and scatter over the pecans. Bake for 25 mins until the egg mixture is set and the blueberries are starting to burst. Meanwhile, line a baking tray with foil and arrange the bacon on top. When the brioche bake is ready, remove from the oven and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Heat the grill to high and cook the bacon for about 5 mins each side until crispy.
• Dust the brioche bake with icing sugar and top with the crispy bacon. Serve with extra maple syrup for drizzling.

BAKED PLUMS ON BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven, 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6.
• Butter both side of each slice of brioche and place them on a baking tray.
• Place the plums, skin side down, on the brioche.
• Place a tiny drop of butter on each plum and dust with sugar.
• Bake until brioche is slightly toasted, 10-12 minutes.
• Serve warm or hot, to make it extra special serve with a little pouring cream.

FLAPJACK BAKED PLUMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170/gas 5. Halve the plums and arrange in a snug layer in one large or 4-6 individual shallow, ovenproof dishes. Sprinkle over the sugar and squeeze over all the orange juice. Press a sheet of baking parchment down over the plums and bake for 20-25 mins, until they start to soften.
• Meanwhile, heat the butter with the syrup or honey in a pan. Remove from the heat and stir in the oats until they are evenly coated. Remove parchment, roughly spoon oats over the plums, then return to the oven for a further 10 mins, until the topping is crisp and golden and the plums are tender. Serve warm with crème fraîche or ice cream if you are feeling indulgent, or fromage frais or low-fat yogurt if not.

BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Put the flour in a bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook. Add the salt to one side and sugar to the other. Pour in the yeast to the side with the sugar. Mix each side into the flour with your hands, then mix it all together with the dough hook.
• Heat the milk until warm to the touch, but not hot. Mix into the flour mix until combined. With the dough hook on medium, gradually add the eggs and mix for 10 mins.
• Gradually add the softened butter, one or two cubes at a time, until combined. This will take 5-8 mins. Scrape down the sides, the dough will be very soft.
• Scrape the dough into a large bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave for 1 hr 30 mins-2 hrs until doubled in size and well-risen. Once risen, put in the fridge for 1 hr.
• Line the bottom and sides of a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment. Portion the dough into seven equal pieces (the easiest way to do this accurately is to weigh it). Lightly dust a work surface with flour, take a piece of dough and pull each corner into the middle to form a circular shape. With a bit of pressure, push down and roll into ball. Repeat with the six remaining pieces.
• Put the balls into the tin, four on one side and three in the gaps on the other side. Cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for 30-35 mins until almost doubled in size. Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly brush the dough with the egg wash and bake for 30-35 mins until golden and risen. Leave to cool in the tin for 20 mins, then remove and cool completely.

PLUM BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a bundt pan or loaf pans.
• In a large bowl, mix together vegetable oil, white sugar, eggs, plum baby food, and food coloring. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and nuts.
• Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Transfer batter to prepared pan(s).
• Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. (Smaller loaf pans will take less time.)
• Remove from oven to cool 10 minutes in pan. Remove and place on cooling rack.
• While the cake is cooling, combine confectioners' sugar and lemon juice. Brush over top while cake is still hot.