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    Home > Sweet Bread

    Published: May 27, 2020 · Modified: Jan 13, 2023 by Helen S Fletcher · This post may contain affiliate links · 21 Comments

    Gibassier - A French Breakfast Treat

    This Gibassier which sits on a white plate is a French breakfast sweet roll in the shape of a fleur de lis.

    Gibassier (pronounced zhee bah see ay) is a much loved French breakfast bread that originated in Provence, France.  It features orange and anise seed and has a particular shape to replicate the fleur de lis. Anise is a flavor that is as much disliked as it is liked.  So if you are not a fan, simply omit it.  I was intrigued by this bread when one of my readers asked me about incorporating the butter into the dough.  This is a variation of the recipes I found on the web and the one that was sent to me.

    Candied orange rind

    Candied orange rind can be hard to find out of season.  Either use my candied orange peel which can be made the day before or Trader Joe’s has candied orange slices that can be cut up and used.  Failing either of these use dried apricots in place of the candied orange rind. Instead of orange blossom water as is usually called for, I used orange zest.  If using my candied orange peel be sure to cut it larger.  It is soft and if cut too small will disappear when processed.

    Gibassier features a luxuriously soft, brioche type of bread but uses butter and olive oil instead of only butter. It is for that reason that, after making the dough and letting it rise, I deflate it and refrigerate it overnight. It is much easier to shape cold yeast dough, especially if it is soft.

    how to bake better custard
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    The recipe goes together quickly using the food processor.  However, a mixer can also be used.  Instructions are given for both.

    Gibassier uses Biga, a preferment which needs to be made early in the day or can be made the night before if desired.   It gives an extra boost to the rich dough.

    When I first saw the unusual shaping I couldn’t figure out how to get the cuts inside of the edges of the dough because of the small size.  My first attempt was delicious but didn’t look very good.  One blog I read said she cut up a credit card and used that.  I don’t have a lot of credit cards and those I have I use so that was out, although I couldn’t quite figure out how that worked.  After thinking about it for weeks, I woke up one morning and thought of the perfect tool – a single-edged razor blade.  It’s sharp, fits perfectly within the borders of the dough, and is easy to use.

    Because this dough is heavy in fat and sugar, it is easy to shape because it doesn’t spring back when rolled out.  In other words, it doesn’t fight you.  You don’t even need flour to shape them. While the shaping can be intimidating, it’s a breeze and the photos will walk you right through it.  If you’re still not convinced, just shape them into rolls but how ever you shape it do try Gibassier.

    If you're looking for more sweet rolls to keep you company in the morning or really, anytime of the day try the German Chocolate Rolls, a riff on the German Chocolate Cake, as well as the Glazed Lemon Twists as part of the post 60 Second Brioche. article.

    Preferment (Biga)

    1 cup bread flour (140 grams or 5 ounces)
    ½ cup warm milk (about 105°F)
    Large pinch of instant yeast

    Preferment in bowl for Gribassier
    Preferment kneaded

    Stir together in a small bowl.  It will look shaggy.  Knead several times to make a smooth ball.  Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours.

    Gibassier Dough

    2 ¾ cups bread flour (385 grams or 13 ½ ounces)*
    6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold (85 grams or 3 ounces)
    ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams or 3 ½ ounces)
    2 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
    ¾ teaspoon salt
    Orange zest from l medium navel orange
    All of preferment from above
    2 eggs
    ⅓ cup olive oil
    ¼ cup water
    2 teaspoons anise seed
    ⅔ cup candied orange rind

    *If you don't have bread flour use all-purpose flour.  However, this should remain a very soft dough.

    Processor method

    Butter in the processor
    Butter is processed

     Place the flour in the processor and pulse several times.  Cut the cold butter into pieces and arrange in a circle over the flour.  Process until the butter is no longer distinguishable.

    Orange rind in

    Add the sugar, yeast, salt, and zest.  Pulse to incorporate.

    Preferment in processor

    Tear the preferment into pieces and add it processor.  

    Preferment processed

    Process to fully incorporate.

    Liquid in a cup for Gribassier
    Liquids in processor
    Dough mixed for Gibassier

    Combine the eggs, olive oil, water.  Pour over the dry ingredients and process to mix completely.  Scrape down and rearrange the dough if necessary.  The dough should be very soft.  Add water a teaspoon at a time if necessary.

    Anise Seed in

    Add the anise seed and pulse several times to distribute.

    Last, and the candied orange rind.  Pulse briefly to mix.  Do not over mix or the  rind will be too small.

    Weight:  About 1095 grams or about 38 ⅜ ounces

    Mixer Method

    For this method, the butter needs to be just soft, about 72°F.  It should not be really soft.   Additionally, the orange rind needs to be cut smaller.

    Place the preferment in the bowl of a mixer fitted with dough hook.  Add the, salt, orange zest, eggs, oil, and water.  Mix on low until everything is incorporated.

     Combine the flour, sugar, and yeast.  Add to the liquid ingredients and mix on low until a soft, smooth dough is formed – abut 3 to 4 minutes.

    At this point, add the butter, about 1 tablespoon at a time to the mixer while it is running.  Do not add any more butter until the preceding butter is incorporated.  Continue adding butter in this manner until it is all in.  Add the anise seed and candied orange rind.  Mix to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.

    Risen dough

    Let the dough rise for 2 to 3hours until light and puffy.  Deflate the dough, cover it and refrigerate overnight where it may or may not rise again. It doesn’t matter.

    Shaping the Gibassier

    Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper.

    Dough for Gibassier turned out
    Log of Gibassier dough
    Dough divided
    Making a ball of dough

    Turn the dough out. Weigh your dough and do the math.  Fourteen rolls should be about 78 to 80 grams each.  Roll the dough into a 14” log.  Divide the dough into 14 pieces by weight.  Roll each piece of dough into a ball by pulling all the edges of the dough into the center. 

    Making a ball of dough
    Turning ball over
    Cupping dough ball
    Rotating dough ball
    Smooth ball of dough
    Dough balls covered

    Turn it over and cup your hand over it.  Cover the ball completely with your hand and rotate the ball under your hand to form a smooth ball.  Apply downward force as you rotate.  Shape all the balls, cover, and refrigerate to make it easier to cut them.  Take two or three out at a time so they don’t soften too much.

    Rough shaped torpedo for Gibassier
    Smooth torpedo shape

    Take a ball and stretch it out with your fingers to make a rough torpedo shape. Roll it under your hands tapering the ends to smooth it to a 4 ½ to 5 " length.  You shouldn't need to add flour to the surface because the oil in the dough will keep it from sticking.  Having a bit of tension will make it easier to shape the dough. 

    Shaping into a lemon

    Turn it so the best side is up.  With the heel of your hand press the top of the dough upward from the middle.  Again from the middle of the dough,  with the heel of your hand press the dough downward to form a lemon shape.  Flatten the ends to match the center. It shoud be abut 2 ½ " high.

    Cutting middle

    With a single edge razor blade, make a cut in the middle of the dough.

    Middle Cut
    Cut to the left

    Then one to the left.

    Cut to the right

    One to the right.

    Cut top right for Gibassier

    Along the right side of the top of the dough cut in toward the center about ¾” to 1”.

    Cut to the top left

    Again on the other side.

    Side cut to the right

    Last cut in the same amount on the right side.

    side cut to the left

    And on the left.

    Cut Gibassier
    Cuts enlarged

    As you pick it up to put it on the sheet pan, stretch it out to enlarge the holes.  If you have ever made Fougasse this is the same principle. Place 7 on a tray.

    Cover them and allow them to rise for 2 to 2 ½ hours until puffy.

    Finishing the Gibassier

    Preheat the oven to 350°F.

    Traditionally,  Gibassier is brushed all over with butter and then covered in granulated sugar after baking.  For me, this makes messy eating at best.  So I altered that to a sugar finish that goes on before baking stays put afterward.

    1 egg, well beaten

    Egg Washed

    While the oven is heating brush 2 or 3 of the rolls with the egg wash and sprinkle heavily with sanding sugar or pearl sugar.

    Unbaked Tray of Gibassier
    Baked Tray

    Bake one sheet at a time on the middle rung for 18 to 22 minutes until golden brown and baked through. Watch the bottom of the rolls. If they start over-browning, place another sheet pan underneath the rolls to prevent any more browning.

    Serve warm or room temperature.

    Yield:  14 Gibassier

    Storage:  These will keep covered at room temperature for 3 to 4 days

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Hallie says

      January 25, 2025 at 4:20 pm

      Hello! Does the biga rest uncovered?

      Reply
      • Helen S Fletcher says

        January 25, 2025 at 4:24 pm

        No, cover it or it will dry out.

        Reply
        • Hallie says

          January 25, 2025 at 7:22 pm

          Thank you!

          Reply
          • Helen S Fletcher says

            January 25, 2025 at 7:45 pm

            You're welcome. Happy to help.

            Reply
    2. Judy says

      June 07, 2023 at 10:02 am

      Came across a reference to this pastry in an odd article. I was drawn to it and came looking for a recipe. Orange and anise are two of may favorite flavors. I use therefor a variety of sweet and savory applications, so always have orange peel and anise about. the effort of shaping the dough so intricately is beyond my skill ability now, and my kitchen space is almost nonexistent. I would guess that this dough could simply be made into balls and flattened a bit then baked, without all the extra cutting. I was also thinking that using scissors to make the inside cuts should not be too difficult, then a sharp knife for the outside. Razor blades as you describe would be hard to come by. Thank you for lovely descriptions and pictures.

      Reply
      • Helen S Fletcher says

        June 07, 2023 at 4:48 pm

        Hi Judy, Either of the alternatives you suggested are fine but the single edge razor blade is the easiest. I too love anise and orange together. Great combination. Enjoy your Gibassier!

        Reply
    3. Tim Malm says

      May 28, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      I'm wondering if we can refrigerate the dough balls overnight? With all the handling of the dough, this looks like a fun recipe to do with kids, cutting and shaping the dough with a dull tool instead of a sharp one.

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        June 01, 2020 at 12:49 pm

        Hi Tim, sure you can. I recommend refrigerating the dough overnight to chill since it's easier to handle that way. After it rises, divide it and then chill it. If they rise again, flatten them and shape.

        Reply
    4. KariG says

      May 27, 2020 at 3:13 pm

      Lol, I am also an anise non-believer, though it seems my 7 yo daughter may have developed a taste for it...I’ll just leave it out. If I do end up making it, I may need to divide in half and use apricots in the second half...

      Reply
    5. sallybr says

      May 27, 2020 at 7:42 am

      Absolutely amazing! love everything about it, including your genius trick to cut it = those are the razor blades we have in the lab, actually, we buy them in bulk - I am going to have trouble finding candied orange peel but will keep this recipe in mind for sure - since it lasts for a couple of days, I guess if I bake it early on Friday I could conceivably use it for my homeless meal donations in the end of the afternoon and it would still be at its peak!

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        May 27, 2020 at 8:51 am

        Hi Sally, yes you could. I tried everything to get the cuts in the middle. Gave up then thought of the razor blade. So, so easy and the perfect size.

        Reply
        • sallybr says

          June 05, 2020 at 9:32 am

          They are in the final proof... what temperature? 400F ok?

          Reply
          • hfletcher says

            June 05, 2020 at 9:54 am

            Hi Sally. Thanks so much for catching this. I read and re-read but things slip by. Yes, 350° is the right temperature.

            Reply
    6. Rocky says

      May 27, 2020 at 7:29 am

      Wow beautiful! Your description and photos are great. Now I just have to find some more flour.
      Looking at that rising dough in the tub- I could actually smell it! How did you do that? Xo

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        May 27, 2020 at 8:50 am

        Hi Rocky, Isn't that amazing. The dough is light but so easy to work with and yours will rise just like that. Hope all is well down in FL.

        Reply
    7. jkharnagel says

      May 27, 2020 at 7:15 am

      I’m interested in this recipe because of the orange flavor. I don’t care for anise so can you offer an alternative or will they be tasty with just the orange?

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        May 27, 2020 at 8:49 am

        Hi Kim, just omit it. The orange is very tasty.

        Reply
    8. Judy Garden says

      May 27, 2020 at 6:34 am

      These look amazing. Anise seed and orange peel: two of my favourite flavours. I can’t wait to try these. It’ll be a change from all that sourdough baking.

      Reply
      • hfletcher says

        May 27, 2020 at 8:48 am

        Hi Judy - I am knee-deep in sourdough. I agree a welcome change.

        Reply
        • Judy garden says

          May 29, 2020 at 10:28 am

          They’re in the fridge waiting for their cuts. I made your orange peel and oh my, I keep sneaking into the fridge to have a slice. That golden syrup is a brilliant addition to the orange peel.

          Reply
          • hfletcher says

            June 01, 2020 at 12:51 pm

            Hi Judy - How did they come out? I agree about the orange peel. I have to hide it in the back of the fridge or I will eat it all. But it's so easy, I make it frequently.

            Reply

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