Soft and Delicious Sweet Bread Recipe
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Get ready to fill your kitchen with the amazing smell of fresh-baked bread! This soft and delicious sweet bread recipe is totally worth the wait. With eggs, milk, and a bit of sugar, you’ll end up with a fluffy, sweet loaf that’s perfect for breakfast or a tasty snack. So grab your ingredients and let’s dive into this baking adventure, you won’t regret it!
Tips for Success
• Ensure the milk and water are lukewarm (about 110°F) before adding the yeast; too hot will kill the yeast, and too cold will prevent it from activating.
• When adding flour, do it gradually until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl; adding too much flour at once can lead to a dense bread.
• If you're using butter instead of shortening, melt it and allow it to cool slightly before adding to the mixture to avoid cooking the eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute the active dry yeast with instant yeast?
Yes, you can substitute active dry yeast with instant yeast at a 1:1 ratio. However, you do not need to proof instant yeast in water; you can mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
How should I store the sweet bread after baking?
Once the sweet bread has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply leave it at room temperature.
What can I do if my dough doesn’t rise properly?
If your dough isn’t rising, it could be due to the yeast being expired or not activated properly. Make sure to dissolve the yeast in warm water (not too hot) and let it foam for about 5-10 minutes before using. If the room is too cold, you can try placing the dough in a warmer location or covering it with a damp cloth to create a warmer environment.
Recommended Drink Pairings
- Chardonnay: Its buttery notes complement the richness of the sweet bread.
- Sweet Iced Tea: The sweetness of the tea balances the flavors of the bread.
- Sparkling Water: The bubbles cleanse the palate and enhance the bread's texture.
- Coffee: A medium roast coffee pairs well with the sweetness and adds depth.
- Prosecco: The light, fruity notes of Prosecco match the sweetness of the bread.
Ingredients
Equipment:
With all your ingredients and equipment gathered, you are ready to get started!
Directions
- Dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water with half teaspoon of sugar and let rise to double in size.
- Mix all the dry ingredients together except the sugar.
- Melt the butter and shortening in milk and cool to lukewarm.
- Beat the eggs and sugar together.
- Mix all the ingredients together and knead until the dough lifting in the bowl, let it rise for about 6 to 8 hours.
- Punch down, deflating the dough, form individual breads and put them in buttered and flour dusted pans (any shape or size will do).
- Preheat the oven at at 160°C or 325°F.
- The dough should fill only half of each pan, so let it rise until the dough doubles in size, filling the pan.
- For the egg wash, mix the egg with the teaspoon of water and brush the top of each bread.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (let it bake longer if the loaves are larger), the bread should be golden brown.
Adapted from a Recipe by: easyportugueserecipes.com
Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)
You might also like these: Bread Recipes
Reviews (72)
You can but I wouldn't add to much more as it will affect the rising and density, try adding another cup and see if that works.
Also at what step does the 1/2 cup Luke warm water get added in?
I don't see either of that info listed
Thanks
You are so great and helpful!
This is our best massa ever! Thankyou for answering all these questions, sharing and keeping our traditions alive!
Meaning 3/4 lukewarm water and 3tsp sugar total?
Thanks!
My mother always pressed these gently into the massa when she was about to bake massa.
They will be like hard boiled eggs when done baking massa.
Laura, you can find sweet bread pans on Amazon.
( massa) at Easter her kitchen table was full! It was a very time consuming effort but she made the best massa ever and she shared with neighbors and all of us kids who were married and of course all her grandchildren who loved it!
Thank you for sharing bcz it's pretty much like hers and she enjoyed it as well.
I do however half the recipe bcz my stand mixer cannot take the full recipe! Yes
Lindsey, in the USA use either Gold Medal or King Arthur bread flour, that would be the best choice as it contains between 12% and 14% protein (the same as the best flour's in Canada for bread like Red Roses and Robinhood).
About 1 to 2 hours Vivian, if you place it in an oven with just the oven light on, about an hour, otherwise about 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours.
Also, activating the yeast, is it about 10 minutes like other bread recipes?
Thanks!!