Sweet Bread - Portuguese Sweet Bread
Portuguese Sweet Bread, also known as 'Pão Doce', is a traditional pastry often made for Easter or special occasions in Portugal and the Azores. The rich, buttery dough is lightly sweet and perfect spread with butter, honey, or jam. The secret to this bread is the long rising time, which gives it a light and fluffy texture. If you love traditional homemade pastries, you should definitely try this recipe!
Ingredients for this recipe
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Preparation Steps
1
Warm the milk slightly, then add the sugar and yeast. Mix well and let it stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
2
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and grated orange zest. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
3
Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer for 10-15 minutes until you have a soft, elastic dough.
4
Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1.5-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
5
On a lightly floured surface, gently punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf or several smaller rolls.
6
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover, and let rise for another 30 minutes.
7
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). If desired, brush the top with a beaten egg for a shiny finish.
8
Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. If you are making smaller rolls, 18-20 minutes may be enough.
9
Let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
