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.
We prefer them warm with a knob of butter, which we enjoy with a good cup of tea, at any time of the day.
Here are some bakeries where you can find your Lenten brioche!
Fall Bakery
Photo courtesy of Autumn Bakery
It is very famous, this Lenten brioche from the unmissable Autumn bakery. We really like the complexity of its creation with a mixture of house spices (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg), in addition to currants, candied orange peel and ginger. By adding a touch of their own integral flour, we are entitled here to a brioche that is far from being ugly.
► autumnbakery.com
► 6500 Christophe–Colomb Avenue, Montreal
The Toledo
Photo courtesy of 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
butterblume
Photo courtesy of Le Cuisinomane
This has been the tradition for several years now in this Mile-End coffee and grocery store. A few weeks before Easter, the sweets stall is embellished with plump shiny brioches just waiting to be devoured. They are extremely soft, with a rich and complex taste… Butterblume’s Lenten buns are the best eaten to date!
► lebutterblume.com
► 5836 Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Montreal
Fleury’s Little Bakery
Photo provided by 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 bun! 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 the Colomba, a sourdough brioche closer to the panettone. Another good reason to discover this little neighborhood gem.
► lapetiteboulangerie.ca
► 1412 Fleury Street East, Montreal
Jeff the Baker
Photo courtesy of Jeff the Baker
We could call him the “crazy baker”, but I prefer to use the term “passionate” to describe Jean-François Dinelle, the artisan 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 breads funky, 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 Saint-Louis Road, Quebec
The Bread Shop
Photo courtesy of La Shop à Pain
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 pass at dawn to get your hands on these still warm delicacies.
► lashopapain.com
► 1, Grande Allee #1380, Terrebonne
Borderon & Son Bakery
Photo courtesy of Borderon & Fils Bakery
The craftsmen at Borderon & Fils will indeed work on the Lenten brioche, but with their own…chocolatey 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 the task at the Borderon!
► artisanborderon.com
► 1191 Cartier Avenue, Quebec
Tommy Dion is a columnist/food critic and founder of the web platform and gourmet guide www.lecuisinomane.com