Soft and Delicious Sweet Bread Recipe
This soft and delicious sweet bread recipe (receita de massa sovada), does take some time to make but it is worth the effort.
Bread Recipes
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Ingredients
3 packages of active dry yeast2 cups of milk2 cups of sugar1/2 cup of shortening (you can use crisco, butter, or vegetable oil)1/2 cup of butter, unsalted1/2 cup of lukewarm water1/2 teaspoon of salt10 cups of all-purpose flour8 eggsFor the Egg Wash:1 egg1 teaspoon of water
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
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Comments (72)
Sarah mello
My vavoa's recipe called for “a juice glass full of whiskey if you are making it for people you like- leave it out if notâ€
reply
2 Years ago, Monday, February 19, 2024
Elaine
I made the massa today.It was amazing. Can I add more sugar to this recipe? If yes how much more sugar can I add? Thank you
3 Years ago, Sunday, December 10, 2023
Tuga Pops
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.
3 Years ago, Sunday, December 10, 2023
Amber
How much yeast in grams is required in this recipe? I can't get access to the yeasts in packets
3 Years ago, Friday, June 2, 2023
Rangdrol
I'd like to make this because it makes 3 large loaves. In ingredients you say “all purpose flour†but in a response in comments you state bread flour, so which is it? I'm assuming bread flour.
3 Years ago, Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Tuga Pops
Bread flour only if you don't have access to all-purpose flour.
3 Years ago, Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Elle
I'm very confused. Step “1. Dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water with half teaspoon of sugarâ€â€¦ is this the 1/2 cup of Water listed in the Ingredients?
3 Years ago, Saturday, April 15, 2023
Tuga Pops
You disolve the yeast in the 1/2 cup of luke warm water on step 1 Elle.
3 Years ago, Sunday, April 16, 2023
Elle
No problem, but then how much water is mixed with the 3 packets of Active dry yeast?
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
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
3 Years ago, Sunday, April 16, 2023
Tuga Pops
No it's not Elle, sorry there was a problem with the comments and I didn't see it before, but everything is working now.
3 Years ago, Sunday, April 16, 2023
Tammy
This was my very first time making it. I'm not much of a baker but I followed the recipe. I did add 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1 tsp of nutmeg, not lemon extract, as I didn't have any; but added those because the bread I buy every year at Silva's bakery in Hayward CA has those 3 extra ingredients. Holy cats!!! They turned out and tasted just like the sweet bread from the bakery!! For me it took about 6 hours from start to finish as my dough kept rising pretty fast. I wish I could post pics. LOL. I also braided the dough and formed 2 BIG loaves. I didn't realize how much dough this recipe made. ;) thank you Eddie, this was definitely a WINNER!!
3 Years ago, Sunday, April 9, 2023
Theres
I made it today for Easter tomorrow they are baking right now and it smells so good in here .
3 Years ago, Saturday, April 8, 2023
Michelle
PR
You are so great and helpful!
This is our best massa ever! Thankyou for answering all these questions, sharing and keeping our traditions alive!
You are so great and helpful!
This is our best massa ever! Thankyou for answering all these questions, sharing and keeping our traditions alive!
3 Years ago, Friday, April 7, 2023
Samantha
I have made this in my largest bowl I have on hand. The dough has risen only 3 hours and is about to over flow. Can it be punched down or should I just leave it alone?
3 Years ago, Friday, April 7, 2023
Michelle
Do you follow the yeast directions on pack
Meaning 3/4 lukewarm water and 3tsp sugar total?
Meaning 3/4 lukewarm water and 3tsp sugar total?
3 Years ago, Friday, April 7, 2023
Tuga Pops
Hi Michelle, you can follow the instructions on the package for amount of water, but use only the amount of sugar mentioned on step 1 of the directions.
3 Years ago, Friday, April 7, 2023
Lynn
How/when do I put the eggs in ? Are they hard cooked before putting them in?
Thanks!
Thanks!
3 Years ago, Friday, April 7, 2023
Linda Lopes
I believe Lynn is asking about decorating the massa with eggs to bake on the massa
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.
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.
3 Years ago, Friday, April 7, 2023
Tuga Pops
Lynn, this is the wrong recipe for the Easter sweet bread with the hard boiled eggs.
3 Years ago, Friday, April 7, 2023
Laura
Looks delicious, where do i buy the pans to bake these?
3 Years ago, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Tuga Pops
Laura, you can find sweet bread pans on Amazon.
3 Years ago, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Linda Lopes
This is a great recipe! Thanks for sharing. My mother used to make so many sweet breads
( 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
( 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
3 Years ago, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Lindsey
Is there a brand of all purpose flour that works well as we have tried different brands here in the USA and it doesn't seem to turn out as good. My parents usually have to travel and purchase the flour from Canada, usually Robin Hood brand. Thanks.
3 Years ago, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Tuga Pops
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).
3 Years ago, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Vivian
How long does it take to double in size the second time when in individual pans?
3 Years ago, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Tuga Pops
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.
3 Years ago, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Ally
Can't wait to make this! Salted or unsalted butter? Thank you!
3 Years ago, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Valerie Azevedo
Can I let the dough rise overnight? So I mean longer than 8hrs.
3 Years ago, Friday, February 3, 2023
Kelly
You can put in fridge overnight, covered, and let it come to room temp before working it again. The fridge slows down the rise.
3 Years ago, Friday, April 7, 2023
Joe
Valerie - I have heard, and experienced, that if the first rise goes on for too long the dough begins to “ferment†giving it more of a yeast-like taste/flavor versus the sweet bread flavor. I would recommend avoiding more than 8 hours for that first dough rising - Good Luck!! ðŸ‘
3 Years ago, Thursday, April 6, 2023
Stephanie
With this recipe being 10 servings is it 10 small loaves or is it one large massa like at the bakery? And what kind of pan should be used? Thanks!
4 Years ago, Sunday, November 20, 2022
Tuga Pops
Hi Stephanie, it makes about 3 to 4 large loaves like the ones at the bakeries.
4 Years ago, Sunday, November 20, 2022
Carmen
It says knead till it lifts from the bowl. Does that mean until it's not sticky? Please explain, thank you!
Also, activating the yeast, is it about 10 minutes like other bread recipes?
Also, activating the yeast, is it about 10 minutes like other bread recipes?
4 Years ago, Tuesday, November 15, 2022
James LaGrone
I am unsure about the recipe yeast instruction. How much sugar and water for the three packs of yeast? Thank you.
4 Years ago, Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Kelly
the total of 3packs of dry yeast is mixed with 1.5 tsp sugar and 3/4 cup water
3 Years ago, Friday, April 7, 2023
Tuga Pops
Hi James, I think step 1 is very clear, let me know what you need help with.
4 Years ago, Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Carol Valadon
I am sure this receipt is good, however, I go to nice bakeries and stores that provide frequent deliveries of nice Sweet Bread. Much less work.â¤ï¸
4 Years ago, Saturday, September 10, 2022
Angela
Can I use mixer with dough hook instead of kneading manually?
4 Years ago, Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Angela
Half a cup of crisco or butter! But then u also have half a cup of butter with rest of ingredients! So total one cup of butter?
4 Years ago, Monday, April 25, 2022
Marlena
Should we get bleached all-purpose flour or unbleached?
4 Years ago, Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Laura
Your instructions say mix all dry ingredients together and then mix sugar and eggs...which one is it and if ive already mixed the sugar with the dry ingredients will the bread still turn out if i mix the eggs and add separately?
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
4 Years ago, Thursday, April 14, 2022
Tuga Pops
It will be fine Laura, but I have updated the recipe.
4 Years ago, Thursday, April 14, 2022
Clinton Fernandez
Can I add anise seed, vanilla, raisins and lemon zest to this recipe?
5 Years ago, Thursday, December 16, 2021
Clinton Fernandez
How many loaves will this recipte make?
5 Years ago, Thursday, December 16, 2021
Todd Arruda
How many loaves? Seems like a lot of flour.
5 Years ago, Thursday, December 16, 2021
Tuga Pops
From 4 to 8 Clinton, depending on the size of the pans you use.
5 Years ago, Thursday, December 16, 2021
Janet Drury
It freezes well. I don't make that large a batch but that's basically my recipe too.
5 Years ago, Thursday, December 16, 2021