Lenten Brioche

DAY

At Easter, we know the leg of lamb, ham, chocolate… But do you know the Lenten brioche? This soft roll with spices, raisins and sometimes candied orange peel is gaining in popularity, so many bakeries in Quebec are offering it a few weeks before Easter.

On prefer them warm with a knob of butter, which you can enjoy with a good cup of tea, at any time of the day.

Here are some bakeries where you can find your brioche du Lent! 

Autumn Bakery 

It is very famous, this Lenten brioche from the famous Autumn bakery. We really like the complexity of its creation with a blend of house spices (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg), in addition to currants, candied orange peel and ginger. By adding a touch of their own wholemeal flour, we are treated here to a brioche that is far from ugly.

► automneboulangerie.com

► 6500 Christophe–Colomb Avenue, Montreal 

Le Toledo 

The Lenten brioche from the Le Toledo bakery easily fulfills all the promises that this little delicacy must deliver. It's moist, not too sweet, prepared with a homemade spice blend that proves it's taken seriously. We take advantage of the visit to leave with a Mont-Royal pie and why not, a portion of vanilla flan.

► letoledo.com

► 351 Mont-Royal Avenue East, Montreal

► 4448 Wellington Street, Verdun 

< strong>Butterblume 

This has been the tradition for several years now at this Mile-End coffee and grocery store. A few weeks before Easter, the sweets stall is embellished with plump shiny buns just waiting to be devoured. They are extremely moist, with a rich and complex taste… Butterblume's Lenten buns are the best eaten to date!

► lebutterblume.com 

► 5836, boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal 

La Petite Boulangerie Fleury 

Twelve months a year, for nearly 30 years, this artisan bakery located in the Ahuntsic district continues to share happiness with croissants, turnovers, loaves, baguettes and seasonal creations… Like the Lenten brioche! This one is intentionally made without cinnamon, but still with raisins and lots of love. If this Anglo-Saxon tradition is celebrated, it should be mentioned that the Italian is just as much by offering Colomba, a sourdough brioche closer to panettone. Another good reason to discover this little neighborhood gem.

► lapetiteboulangerie.ca

► 1412, rue Fleury Est, Montréal 

Jeff the Baker 

You could call him the “crazy baker”, but I prefer to use the term “passionate”. to describe Jean-François Dinelle, the craftsman behind this bakery located in Lévis. The man of a thousand and one creations will not fail to share childhood memories with his version of the Lenten brioche, this one with maple icing, offered a week before Easter. It will find its place alongside pretzels, fougasses, cruffins (fusion between a muffin and a croissant) and several other funky breads, as he likes to call them. Jeff, a bakery that could quickly become a destination in Lévis!

► jeffleboulanger.com

► 4, rue Charles-Rodrigue, Lévis  

Paul's Bakery 

La Boulangerie Paul is the hidden gourmet gem of Sillery. Nestled on Chemin Saint-Louis since 2004, locals head there for a hot croissant in the morning, a slice of quiche or pizza for lunch, and a baguette on the way home from work. For Easter, the team will prepare the Lenten brioche both on order and in store on April 6 and 7. First come first served: arrive early!

► facebook.com/boulartipaul

► 1646, chemin Saint-Louis, Québec 

The Bread Shop 

This fourth-generation artisan bakery, located in Terrebonne, promises to bake Lenten buns every day until Easter. Guillaume, the baker and owner, insists that they are made entirely with Quebec flour, with no additives or preservatives. What to stop by at dawn to get your hands on these still warm delicacies.

► lashopapain.com

► 1, Grande Allée #1380, Terrebonne 

Borderon Bakery & Threads 

The craftsmen at Borderon & Fils will indeed work the Lenten brioche, but with their own chocolate twist! Sold in a pack of four, this quartet will be chocolate, then stuffed with well-camouflaged quality candied fruit. Rare are the creations that are not up to par with the Borderons!

► artisanborderon.com

► 1191, avenue Cartier, Québec

Tommy Dion is a food columnist/critic and founder of the web platform and gourmet guide www.lecuisinomane.com< /em>