Hot take: hand kneading isn't always better than a mixer

I was making brioche last Thursday near Chicago and my KitchenAid started smoking halfway through the dough, so I had to finish by hand for 20 minutes. Honestly my arms were wrecked but the texture came out way silkier than when I use the dough hook. Does anyone else feel like certain doughs just turn out better with elbow grease no matter what the recipe says?

2 comments

2 Comments

henderson.mila1mo ago

Used to be all about the mixer for everything, but after a few batches of brioche done by hand I'm totally on your side now. Something about the arm workout just makes the gluten behave better.

mason7981mo ago

Does a mixer just not get the same feel for brioche? Kneading by hand lets you really work the butter in right and feel when it's done. That arm burn is worth it for the silky crumb.