Who are these options for?

Hosts who want to cook with brioche

You’d rather make brioche part of a savoury dish than simply put it on the table as it is. Lidl Recettes, for example, offers a brioche French toast dish with raclette cheese, ham and onion.

Shoppers who pay close attention to ingredients

You’re looking for sourdough in the recipe and want to distinguish it from yeast. Checking the exact product’s ingredients list also lets you check for allergens.

Hosts who want to serve individual portions

You’re planning to serve brioche on the side and need a format that’s easy to divide between guests, with little preparation needed at mealtime.

What should you look for?

First, decide whether the brioche will be served on the side or used as the base for a cooked dish. Then choose its ingredients and format to suit the way you plan to use it.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
How it will be used Slices suited to your planned preparation; ingredients and cooking time needed if you opt for brioche French toast. If brioche is to be part of the dish, I look for a cooked savoury recipe rather than something to serve on the side. Around 29% of consumers would make this their priority.
Sourdough and ingredients Check whether “sourdough” and “yeast” are listed separately; check the packet for allergen information. When I’m looking for sourdough, I want to know exactly what the brioche contains before serving it. This would be the priority for around 36% of consumers.
Serving format Number of slices and net weight, depending on the portions you want to serve. When serving brioche alongside raclette, I prefer something that’s easy to prepare and divide into portions; around 21% of consumers would put this need first.
Storage Storage instructions for chilled ingredients and use-by dates for the products concerned. If I prepare the toppings in advance, I need to be able to keep the cheese, charcuterie and other perishable ingredients chilled until serving. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this kind of planning.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming that sourdough means it is made using sourdough alone

    The ingredients lists for Carrefour Traiteur brioche and the Vendée brioche featured by E.Leclerc both mention sourdough and yeast.

    Read the full ingredients list and check for both separately if the production method is important to your choice.

  • Relying on the brioche’s name alone to check for allergens

    The products reviewed contain wheat, eggs and milk, among other ingredients. Harrys also notes that its plain sliced brioche with no additives may contain traces of soya, nuts and sesame.

    Check the label on the packet you buy before serving. The DGCCRF advises that allergenic ingredients must be highlighted in the ingredients list.

  • Planning a baked brioche dish as if it were a simple side

    Lidl Recettes’ raclette brioche French toast recipe includes a milk and egg mixture, followed by baking with the toppings. It takes more planning than serving slices on the side.

    Choose your recipe before you shop so you can plan for the ingredients and cooking equipment you’ll need.

    This option also takes time to prepare while you’re getting everything ready to serve.

  • Leaving perishable ingredients on the table all evening

    Cheese, charcuterie and dishes containing chilled ingredients need particular care while you’re serving.

    Anses recommends storing perishable foods in the coldest part of the fridge, at around 4 °C, and limiting how long they are left at room temperature. Bring out small amounts and return the rest to the fridge.

Brands to consider

Harrys

Harrys’ plain sliced brioche with no additives is an option for serving in slices; the brand says it can be toasted.

  • Its ingredients list includes wheat flour, eggs, butter and yeast.
  • Sourdough is not listed in the ingredients for this product. Traces of soya, nuts and sesame are also noted.

Carrefour

Carrefour Traiteur’s sliced, braided, all-butter brioche is an option to consider if you’re looking for a recipe whose ingredients list includes sourdough.

  • This product lists sourdough as well as wheat flour, butter and eggs.
  • It also contains yeast, so it should not be described as made using sourdough alone. Check the allergens on the packaging.

E.Leclerc / Marque Repère

E.Leclerc’s product listings let you compare Epi d’Or sliced brioche with Nos Régions ont du Talent IGP Vendée brioche.

  • The ingredients list for the Vendée brioche reviewed mentions both sourdough and yeast.
  • The listing for the Epi d’Or brioche reviewed mentions yeast, but not sourdough. Check the product and its ingredients before you buy.

A selection for drinks and nibbles

This Joybuy selection features brioche bites with ham and Emmental, served in individual portions for a raclette evening. They are not described as sourdough brioche or as a raclette cheese preparation.

ERHARD brioche bites with ham and Emmental

ERHARD Mini Ham & Emmental Brioche Bites x9 — 115 g

These brioche bites with ham and Emmental are ideal for serving in small portions with drinks and nibbles. The product name indicates 9 pieces weighing 115 g; if you’re looking for sourdough or raclette cheese, check the ingredients list rather than relying on the name. Before serving, also check the cooking and storage instructions and allergen information on the packaging.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is brioche containing sourdough made using sourdough alone?

No, not necessarily. The published ingredients lists for the two products reviewed by Carrefour Traiteur and E.Leclerc also mention yeast. Check for both ingredients in the list for the product you choose.

How can you serve brioche with raclette?

You can serve small slices on the side or prepare a dedicated dish. Lidl Recettes offers brioche French toast with raclette cheese, ham and onion, which requires cooking. This recipe does not mean that all brioche can replace bread in the same way.

Which allergens should you check in brioche?

Pay particular attention to the ingredients list and any traces noted on the exact packet you buy. The products reviewed contain wheat, eggs and milk, among other ingredients; Harrys also notes that its plain sliced brioche with no additives may contain traces of soya, nuts and sesame.

How can you keep raclette ingredients chilled while serving?

Keep reserve quantities of perishable foods in the fridge and only take out what you need. Anses recommends a temperature of around 4 °C in the coldest part of the fridge and limiting how long these foods are left at room temperature.