Portuguese Sweet Bread (Pao Doce)

A community recipe by catarina m

Not tested or verified by Nigella.com

Introduction

This is a traditional sweet bread - a Portuguese version of Brioche. I would half the recipe if it is too much. This makes 4 loaves. This is v good with tea or coffee- especially espresso. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Serves: 10-12

2 packets active dried yeast
½ cup warm water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup mashed potatoes
⅕ teaspoon ground ginger
½ cup milk
2 teaspoons salt
6 eggs
1¾ cups sugar
½ cup butter
8 (up to 10 cups if needed) cups flour

Method

Portuguese Sweet Bread (Pao Doce) is a community recipe submitted by catarina m and has not been tested by Nigella.com so we are not able to answer questions regarding this recipe.

Dissolve yeast in potato water. Stir in sugar, potatoes, and ginger. Cover; let rise until doubled.

Scald milk and add salt and cool to lukewarm.

In a small bowl of the electric mixer (or free-standing mixer) beat eggs, gradually beat in 1 and 3/4 cups of sugar. Stir into yeast mixture. Add butter and mix well. Stir in 2 cups of flour then milk. Add 2 more cups of flour, then beat for 5 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough.

Place on lightly floured board and knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and elastic about 8-10 minutes. Place in greased bowel, turning in to grease the top. Cover- let rise until doubled(1-2 hrs)

Grease four 9x5x3 inch loaf pans. On a lightly floured board, divide dough into fourths. Shape each fourth into a loaf and place in prepared pans. Cover; let rise until doubles.

Preheat oven to 325F. Bake for 45 minutes or until done (lightly browned on top- hollow sound when thumped on bottom of loaf. Makes four loaves. Bom apreveito!!