Portuguese Sweet Bread: Easy One Massa Sovada Loaf Recipe

1. Heat a saucepan over medium heat, add the milk, 1 1/3 cups (265 g) sugar, 2 tbsp (28 g) shortening or lard, butter, salt and the zest of 1 lemon, stir well so everything is well combined and bring to a boil.
2. When it does come to a boil, remove the pan from the heat and put it aside until it is just lukewarm.
3. Add the 1 tsp (3 g) flour, 1 tbsp (12.5 g) sugar, active dry yeast and the 1/3 cup (80 ml) of lukewarm water, stir until well combined and put aside for about 10 minutes.
4. Whisk the 3 eggs well, add it to a large bowl, add the lukewarm milk and butter mix to the bowl and stir well.
5. Add the yeast mixture to the bowl, and stir some more.
6. Add the 4 1/2 cups (560 g) flour, mix everything so it is well incorporated and knead well for about 15 to 20 minutes.
7. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel, and with the oven OFF, place the bowl in the oven for 20 minutes.
8. After 20 minutes, remove the bowl from the oven, remove the kitchen towel and drizzle 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vegetable oil all around the edges of the dough.
9. Fold the dough from the sides over to the top, do this for about 40 seconds.
10. Cover the bowl and place it back in the oven (make sure oven is OFF) for another 20 minutes.
11. After 20 minutes, pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil around the edges of the bowl and fold from all around to the top for another 40 seconds.
12. Place the covered bowl back in the oven until the dough doubles in size (about 2 and 1/2 hours).
13. Grease a 10 inch round baking pan with 1 teaspoon (5 g) of vegetable shortening or lard all the way to the top of the pan and place the dough in the pan.
14. Cover the pan and place it in the oven while the oven is OFF for about 1 hour and 1/2.
15. Remove the pan from the oven, and remove the kitchen towel.
16. Preheat the oven to 305F (150C).
17. Brush the egg wash (1 whisked egg with 1 tbsp of water) over the dough in the pan.
18. With kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, make 3 cuts on the top of the dough (a few inches apart).
19. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour.

Adapted from a Recipe by: DIYwithnancyg