Best Cuban Bread Recipes

CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• Grease a large bowl, and set aside.
• Take a small bowl and dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/4 cup of warm (110 degrees F) water. Place the bowl in a warm place and let it stand until it starts to foam and double in volume, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, measure out 1/4 cup of lard Heat in the microwave until melted.
• Place the water/yeast/sugar mixture in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Add the rest of the warm water and the salt. Using the dough hook, mix on low speed until blended.
• Take your measuring cup and sift together the two flours.
• Gradually add the flour mixture, a little at a time, to the wet ingredients in your mixer -- mixing constantly. At the same time you are adding flour, gradually pour in the melted lard. Keep adding a little flour and a little lard until all of the lard is added.
• Continue adding more flour until you make a smooth and pliable dough. Try to add just enough flour to make the dough elastic -- just as much as necessary so that the dough hook barely cleans the sides of the bowl. Too much flour and your bread will be too dense! You will use approximately 3 1/4 cups of sifted flour to bring the dough to this point. (More or less, this is where the art of baking comes in!) Save any leftover flour mixture for rolling out the dough.
• Now let the machine and the dough hook go to work kneading the dough. Set the mixer on a low speed and knead for about 3 to 4 minutes, no more! Your dough will be fairly sticky at this point.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place it into the greased bowl.
• Flip the dough ball a few times to grease it up on all sides. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and place in a warm place. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size -- about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board, using the leftover flour you have in the bowl. Sprinkle some flour on the dough and use a rolling pin to roll it out. This recipe called for a large loaf, shaped to fit a long baking sheet diagonally -- about 20 inches long. So we try to roll out a 12 x 20-inch rectangle. BUT:( I prefer 4 smaller ones for individual rolls)Sprinkle more flour on the dough and turn it over a few times as you roll it out, to keep it from sticking to the rolling pin. The added flour at this rolling stage should take care of most of the stickiness of the dough.
• Roll the dough up into a tightly rolled long cylinder, with a slight taper at both ends. Wet your fingers and pinch the loose flap of the rolled dough into the loaf, making a tight seam.
• Grease a baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with cornmeal.
• Place the loaf diagonally onto the baking sheet, seam side down. Dust the top with a little extra flour and cover very loosely with plastic wrap. (You don't want the rising dough to dry out or stick to the plastic wrap.).
• Place in a warm spot and allow the loaf to stand and rise once again until it is about 2 1/2 times it's original size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cuban bread is wider than French bread, so expect your loaf to spread out quite a bit as it rises.
• Preheat oven to 450º F. Place a pan of water on the lowest rack of the oven.
• Use a sharp knife to cut a shallow seam down the middle of the top of the bread, leaving about two inches of uncut top on each end of the loaf.
• Brush the top of the loaf with water and place in your preheated oven on the middle shelf. After about 5 minutes of baking, brush some more water on top of the bread.
• Bake the loaf until it is light brown and crusty -- about 12 to 18 minutes total baking time.

HOMEMADE CUBAN BREAD/PAN CUBANO CASERO

Steps:

• 1. The day before baking your bread make the starter. Mix starter ingredients dissolving the yeast in very warm water, Not hot but warm. You want a thick paste when you add the flour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let "ripen" in refrigerator for 24 hours. Left over starter will keep for several days in the refrigerator or can be frozen.
• 2. Dough: Dissolve the yeast and sugar in three 3 tablespoons of warm water in a large mixing bowl. When the mixture is foamy (5-10 minutes)Stir in lard. (It's best to melt the lard in the microwave but it should not be hot just warm) Let cool if the lard or shortening is too hot. Next add the remaining warm water and half of the batch of the starter. Refrigerate the other half or freeze.
• 3. Mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon. Stir in the salt and the flour 1 cup at a time. You want a dough that is stiff enough to knead. You can also mix and knead with a dough hook or in a food processor fitted with a double blade.
• 4. Turn dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic. About six to eight (6 to 8) minutes, Adding flour as necessary. The dough should be pliable and not real sticky.
• 5. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm draft-free spot until it doubles in bulk, about 45 minutes. Then Punch down.
• 6. After punching down next to form the loaves, divide the dough in 4 pieces. Roll each one out to form a 14 inch long tube, with rounded ends. (sort of like a long meatloaf) Put 2 loaves on a baking tray or sheet, about 6 inches apart. You can lightly spray each tray or sheet with a little Bakers helper or very lightly oil and flour the tray. Or you can use parchment paper first then spray a little with the Bakers helper. Cover the loaves with a dampened cloth or clean dish towel and let rise in a warm draft-free spot, until doubled in their bulk. About One (1) hour. Then Pre-heat the oven on 350 degrees, then lay a warm dampened thick piece of kitchen twine or butchers twine about 18 inches long, all along the top length of each loaf. Press the twine down on each loaf just a little. Bake the bread until the breads are a lightly golden brown on top and sound hollow when lightly tapped about 30 minutes baking time. Then remove let cool slightly and remove strings.
• 7. This will leave a distinct little ridge on top of each loaf. Very typical and the trademark of Authentic Cuban bread. Transfer loaves to a cooling rack. Enjoy as is with butter or sliced for Cuban pork sandwiches or for making Cuban toast. Any way it is delicious. Buen Appetito... Enjoy
• 8. The above picture is not mine. It is a picture of Cuban bread from the Cuban Bakery. They do not show the distinctive ridge across the top. I am planning baking some Cuban bread for the holidays. I will post a picture of my own home made bread then. The picture above is of good Cuban bread.

CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast and sugar in 3 tablespoons of water in a large mixing bowl. When the mixture is foamy (5 to 10 minutes), stir in the lard, the remaining water, and the 1/2 batch of starter. Mix well with your fingers or a wooden spoon. Stir in salt and flour, 1 cup at a time. You want to get a dough that is stiff enough to knead. You can also mix and knead in a mixer fitted with the dough hook or in a food processor fitted with the double blade, as the processor dough hook will not handle this job easily. Turn dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes, adding flour as necessary. The dough should be pliable and not sticky. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it doubles its' bulk, about 45 minutes. Punch down. To form the loaves, divide the dough in 4 pieces. Roll out each to form a 14-inch long tube, with rounded ends (sort of like a long meat loaf) Put 2 of the loaves on a baking sheet, about 6 inches apart. Cover with dampened cotton dish towels and let rise in warm, draft-free spot until double their bulk, about 1 hour. If you want to let it rise at a slower pace, you can do it in a cooler spot and even in the refrigerator, but give it 3 to 4 hours instead. Preheat oven to 350 F Lay a dampened piece of thick kitchen string or twine (about 1/8 " thick) all along the top length of the loaf. Bake until the breads are lightly browned on top and sound hollow when lightly tapped, about 30 minutes. Let them cool slightly and remove the strings. They will leave a distinct little ridge on top. Transfer loaves onto a wire rack for cooling. Yields 4 loaves.

CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast in the water and add the salt and sugar, stirring thoroughly.
• Add flour, one cup at a time, beating it with a wooden spoon.
• You can also use the dough hook on an electric mixer at low speed.
• Add enough flour to make a fairly stiff dough.
• Shape dough into a ball, place in a greased bowl and grease the top.
• Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and shape into two round Italian style loaves.
• Arrange onto a baking sheet, heavily sprinkled with cornmeal and allow to rise for 5 minutes.
• Slash the tops of the loaves in 2 or 3 places with a knife or scissors.
• Brush the loaves with water and place them into a cold oven.
• Set the oven control at 400° and place a pan of boiling water on the bottom of the oven.
• Bake loaves until they are crusty and done for about 40 to 45 minutes.

BREAD MACHINE CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in your bread machine in the order given.
• Set bread machine to dough cycle.
• IMPORTANT! CHECK YOUR MACHINE WHILE IT IS KNEADING and ADD MORE WATER IF NEEDED 1 TABLESPOON AT A TIME. The dough should not be too dry - it should look smooth and satiny after kneading for a few minutes.
• When dough cycle is complete, remove dough from machine and shape into long loaf (like french bread).
• Place on a cookie sheet and let loaf rise for about 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until nicely browned.
• You can also just cook this in your bread machine on the regular bread cycle if you want. It still tastes great, you just don't get the cuban shaped loaf.

CUBAN BREAD TORREJAS

Steps:

• For the cream cheese sauce:
• Combine the half-and-half, cream cheese, sour cream, condensed milk, vanilla extract and salt in a food processor and process until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the guava syrup:
• Combine the guava paste, cream soda and salt in a saucepan and heat gently, until the guava paste has melted into a syrup. (For an extra-smooth consistency, use a hand blender to puree any unmelted guava solids.) You will need 2 ounces of the guava syrup for the torrejas. Leftover syrup will keep in the refrigerator for at least 3 weeks.
• For the cookie sugar:
• Pulse the Maria cookies in a food processor until crumbled. Add the brown sugar and salt and pulse to combine.
• For the torrejas:
• Whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in a medium mixing bowl (this can be done the night before), and pour the custard mixture into a pie pan.
• Soak the bread in the egg mixture for 30 seconds on each side, then remove to a rack set over a baking sheet to drain for a minute or two.
• Over medium-low heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium nonstick skillet. Fry the torrejas, two slices at a time, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the skillet before starting the second batch of torrejas.
• To serve, place two torrejas on a plate. Drizzle generously with cream cheese sauce, then with guava syrup. Top with a sprinkling of Maria cookie sugar and some powdered sugar.

CHEF JOHN'S CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup warm water, 1/2 teaspoon yeast, and 1/2 cup flour in a bowl or measuring cup. Whisk the starter until well blended. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Place 1 package active dry yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar in a mixing bowl. Pour in 3/4 cup warm water. Let rest 15 minutes to ensure yeast is alive (bubbles will form on surface). Add lard and salt to bowl; add 1 cup of the flour. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated and dough forms a sticky ball. Add the starter (reserving 1/4 cup if you want to keep the starter going, if desired. Otherwise add it all.). Sprinkle most of the rest of the flour on the dough, reserving 1/2 cup to be used if needed when kneading.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until dough comes together in a firm ball, adding additional flour only as needed. Dough should be soft and supple with just a bit of tackiness on the surface.
• Place dough in a bowl and coat surface with a little vegetable oil. Cover bowl with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm spot to rise. Let rise until at least doubled in size, about 2 hours.
• Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and sprinkle with a little cornmeal.
• Transfer dough onto lightly floured surface. Lightly press the dough into a rectangle with your lightly floured hands. Divide dough in half and press and shape each half into a long 1/2-inch thick rectangle about 12 inches long. Roll up tightly starting at the long end to form a skinny loaf. Flatten a bit. Transfer each loaf to a prepared baking sheet and dust with a bit of flour. Cover with a light, dry towel and let rise until doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Cut a 1/4-inch deep slit down the top of the loaves with a sharp knife or razor. Mist loaves lightly with water.
• Place pans in pre-heated oven, one pan on lower rack, one on higher rack. After 10 minutes, switch pan positions. Continue to bake until loaves are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Transfer loaves to cooling rack and let cool to room temperature before slicing.

CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• 1. FOR THE STARTER / THE NIGHT BEFORE: Combine starter ingredients in a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a cool spot for about 12 hours.
• 2. FOR THE BREAD: In the bowl of a large standing mixer fitted with dough hook, add water, salt, sugar, lard, yeast and the starter (using a spatula to scrape all of the starter into the mixer bowl).
• 3. Add the 3.5 cups of flour, and mix the dough for 10 minutes on medium. The dough should come clean from the sides of the bowl. If it does not, add a bit more flour (about 2 Tbsp at a time) as needed. Let rise until doubled, about 1.5 hours.
• 4. Punch the dough down (or turn the mixer on for 30 seconds). Remove the blade and let rise until doubled in volume, about an hour. Cover with cloth so it doesn't dry out.
• 5. Divide dough into 2 even portions.
• 6. Take one portion and pat it flat with your hand. It shouldn't stick if the dough is the right consistency. Next, fold it in half, lengthwise. Roll it into a long tube-like loaf, making sure both ends are rounded. Repeat with remaining dough to make an additional tube-like loaf.
• 7. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a standard cooking sheet and dust lightly with the cornmeal; set baking sheet aside.
• 8. Soak twine in cool water for a few minutes then squeeze out excess water. Slightly press the damp twine into the top of each loaf (it should be slightly imbedded but still visible and not fully buried into the dough). Flip the loaves over, on top of the twine, and let them rest about 20 minutes. (If you use metal skewers, slightly press the skewers into the top of the loaves, then flip them over). Let the loaves rest for about 20 minutes.
• 9. Place both loaves on baking sheet, twine/skewer side up. Bake, with the twine/skewer left in the dough, for about 25 minutes for 2 loaves or until lightly browned on top and the loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped on the bottom. Let loaves stand 3 to 4 minutes, then carefully remove the twine (or skewer). This will give the loaves a distinct ridge that's a unique characteristic of traditional Cuban Bread. Then transfer loaves to rack to cool completely.

INCREDIBLE CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• Mix the 2 cups whole wheat and 2 cups of the white flour together.
• Add the yeast, the sugar, and the salt.
• Pour in the hot water and beat for 100 strokes (or 3 minutes with a mixer).
• Stir in the rest of the flour until it is no longer sticky.
• Knead it for 8 minutes.
• Put the dough in a metal bowl that you have sprayed with cooking spray.
• Cover it with a damp towel.
• Let it rise for 15 minutes.
• Punch it down.
• Divide it into 2 pieces.
• Shape each piece into a round loaf and put them on a baking sheet that you have sprayed with cooking spray.
• Cut an x in the top of each loaf.
• If you want you can brush the top with water and put sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top.
• Put the pan on the middle rack of a cold oven.
• Put a pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf.
• Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Bake the bread for 40-50 minutes or until it is deep golden brown.
• **Ifyou want to use your food processor, put all the dry into the bowl.
• Turn it on and slowly add the water until the dough forms a ball.
• Let it spin 20 times.

CRUSTY CUBAN BREAD

Steps:

• Proof yeast with warm water sugar and salt for about 5-10 min. Add to flour and kneed with bread hook. Cover with damp towel and let rise until it doubles. Punch down and form into a loaf on a baking sheet lightly greased and sprinkled with cornmeal. Bake for 30-40 min. on 350 degrees.

CHOCOLATE-GARLIC MOJO WITH TOASTED CUBAN BREAD (TOSTADAS DE PAN CUBANO CON MOJO DE CHOCOLATE)

Steps:

• To prepare the ganache, put the chocolate in a double-boiler or a heatproof bowl over simmering water. When the chocolate is almost melted, remove from the heat and stir from the center out with a rubber spatula until smooth.
• Combine the garlic and olive oil in a small skillet and just heat it through over low heat. Pour in a stream over the melted chocolate while stirring gently with the spatula, again from the center out. Season with salt to taste. Add the lime juice and stir gently to blend smoothly. The mixture will thicken like mayonnaise. Keep at room temperature.
• When you are ready to serve, warm the sauce over simmering water if it has become too stiff. Toast the bread on both sides on a grill or under the broiler. Arrange the toasted slices on a large platter or flat basket lined with a plantain-leaf square. Accompany with the sauce in a bowl or cruet, the coarse salt, and a couple of decorative butter knives. ¡Delicioso!

CUBAN-STYLE BREAD

Steps:

• In a mixing machine fitted with a dough hook, add the water, salt, sugar, shortening, and yeast. Add the flour slowly, making a stiff dough that is silky smooth.
• Turn dough out into a large oiled bowl, cover with a cloth. Place dough in a warm place, and allow to double in bulk.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pound and knead the dough, until it is silky smooth. Return the dough to the bowl, cover, and let rise again, until doubled in bulk.
• Meanwhile, sterilize the palmetto leaves or shoe strings by soaking them in boiling water.
• Portion dough into 10-ounce loaves. As a loaf is formed, immediately place a palmetto leaf or shoestring down the length of the loaf, and turn the loaf over onto a baking sheet, leaf/string side down. Repeat with the remaining loaves.
• Let the dough rise, leaf side down, for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bake loaves until they are golden brown, about 30 minutes.

CUBAN SANDWICH BREAD

Steps:

• Combine and mix all the ingredients from the first part using an electric mixer or by hand. Let rest, covered, for 4 hours. Using a dough hook attachment on an electric mixer, combine and mix the ingredients from the second part into the first part until smooth, around 10 minutes. Cut into 13-ounce pieces. Using a rolling pin, roll one 13-ounce piece to the size of a baking tray. Roll the dough into a large log and assemble 4 to 5 pieces on each tray. Cut each dough log into thirds, creating 3 loaves. Repeat with the other pieces. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a humid, warm location for 2 to 3 hours until they have doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and bake until lightly golden, 30 to 40 minutes.

CUBAN BREAD FOR THE BREAD MACHINE

Steps:

• Add water, salt, flour, brown sugar and yeast to bread machine pan in the order suggested by manufacturer.
• Select dough/manual cycle.
• When cycle is complete, transfer dough to a lightly floured surface.
• Shape into a long loaf; taper ends by gently rolling back and forth.
• Place on a baking sheet that has been sprinkled with cornmeal.
• Let rise, uncovered, 10 minutes.
• Using a sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal slashes on top of loaf.
• Brush with egg glaze.
• Place on the middle shelf of a cold oven.
• Place a shallow pan on bottom shelf and add hot water to pan.
• Set oven temperature at 400 degrees and bake 30 minutes, or until done.
• Remove from pan and let cool on wire rack.

CUBAN BREAD (PAN CUBANO)

Steps:

• 1. Chef's Note: This is the first of three recipes that I'm posting for the making of an authentic Cubano Sandwich. The second will be on preparing the Cubano smoked pork, and the third will be on constructing the sandwich.
• 2. Add the sugar to the warm water, and mix until completely dissolved.
• 3. Add the yeast, and allow it to bloom.
• 4. Chef's Note: Adding the yeast to the warm water with a growth medium (sugar) will make the yeast active. If after 5 minutes, the liquid appears the same, the yeast is dead (give it a proper burial). Go to Ye Old Store and get some more.
• 5. After 5 minutes you should see foaming on the top of the water.
• 6. Add all the ingredients to a mixer fitted with a flat paddle.
• 7. Mix on slow speed until the ingredients are incorporated.
• 8. Change to a dough hook, and mix on medium speed for 6 to 8 minutes.
• 9. Chef's Tip: When the dough is ready, it should being riding up the hook.
• 10. Chef's Note: Depending on a ton of conditions, you might need to add a bit more flour, or a bit more liquid.
• 11. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface, and kneed for about 2 minutes, adding a bit of extra flour, if needed.
• 12. The dough should be elastic and slightly sticky.
• 13. Chef's Note: I love to kneed dough... its takes away all my frustrations.
• 14. Add a bit of oil (olive or grapeseed) to a bowl.
• 15. Add the dough and turn to coat.
• 16. Cover and allow it to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• 17. Is should look something like this.
• 18. Punch the dough down, and place on a lightly floured surface.
• 19. Kneed the dough 2 or 3 times, and then divide into 4 equal pieces.
• 20. Chef's Note: I'm only making half a recipe, so that's why I only have 2 pieces.
• 21. Chef's Note: If you're not using all of the dough, you can tightly wrap the unused portions in cling foil, and store in the freezer for a month or longer.
• 22. Allow the dough to rest, covered for 15 minutes.
• 23. Roll each piece into a log shape about 8 inches (20cm) long.
• 24. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, or a baking rack, as pictured.
• 25. Cover and allow them to rise for 1 hour.
• 26. Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 375f (190c).
• 27. Brush the loves lightly with water.
• 28. Using a Lame or sharp knife, cut them lengthwise from left to right.
• 29. Place in the preheated oven and bake until the loaves are golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• 30. Allow the loaves to cool, before slicing, about 20 minutes.
• 31. Chef's Note: This is the beginning of a great Cubano sandwich, and as generic sandwich bread, it can't be beat. Enjoy.
• 32. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

CUBAN WATER BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl dissolve the yeast in the warm water or potato water. Add sugar and salt and mix well. Stir in 7 cups of the flour.
• On a well-floured surface, knead dough for 7 minutes, incorporating in the last cup of flour. Place dough in a greased bowl. Let rise until doubled.
• Using a lightly floured board, form dough into 2 long or round loaves. Sprinkle cornmeal on greased baking sheet; place loaves on top. Slash top with a sharp knife. Cover, and let rise until almost doubled.
• Brush top of loaves with cold water. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired. Place in a cold oven.
• Turn oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake for 45 minutes, or until nicely browned. Brush twice during baking time with cold water.

CUBAN WATER BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast, sugar, and salt in 1/2 cup warm water.
• Add flour to the rest of the warm water. Mix to form a relatively smooth batter. Add yeast mixture. Mix in 4 cups of flour to form stiff dough.
• Turn out on flat surface and knead, adding flour as necessary to keep from sticking until smooth and elastic.
• Let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk for 60 to 90 minutes.
• Punch dough down. Divide into 2 balls. Place balls on greased cookie sheet that have been sprinkled with cornmeal or breadcrumbs of whole wheat flour.
• Cover and let rise for 5 MINUTES ONLY.
• Boil a pan of water.
• Cut a fairly deep cross on top of each ball. If desires, brush with cold water and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Place in COLD OVEN. Set oven at 400°F and place a pan of boiling water on floor of oven.
• Bake 45 minutes.

PAN FRITO (FRIED CUBAN BREAD) RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Steps:

• 1. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick sklllet over medium-low heat. 2. Add the garlic and saute slowly until the garlic is golden brown. 3. Remove the garlic with a slotted spoon, leaving the hot oil in the pan. 4. Add the butter and a pinch of salt. 5. When the butter is melted, add the bread or rolls, cut side down. Increase the heat to medium. 6. Flatten the bread or rolls with a spatula and grill until golden brown, 4-5 minutes. 7. Turn and grill the other side, 3-4 minutes, flattening with a spatula. Serve hot.

CUBAN BREAD**** RECIPE - (3.6/5)

Steps:

• 1-Put ingredients into bread machine in order listed. 2-Set machine on dough cycle. 3-Flour counter, take dough out of machine, roll dough out to a 12 x 20-inch rectangle. 4-Roll the dough up into a tightly rolled long cylinder, with a slight taper at both ends. Wet your fingers and pinch the loose flap of the rolled dough into the loaf, making a tight seam. 5-Grease baking sheet and sprinkle slightly with cornmeal. 6-Place the loaf diagonally onto the baking sheet, seam side down. Dust the top with a little extra flour and cover very loosely with plastic wrap. 7-Place in a warm spot and allow the loaf to stand and rise once again, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cuban bread is wider than French bread, so expect your loaf to spread out quite a bit as it rises. 8-Preheat oven to 450* and place a pan full of water on bottom rack. 9-Use a sharp knife to cut a shallow seam down the middle of the top of the bread, leaving about two inches of uncut top on each end of the loaf. 10-Brush the top of the loaf with water and place in your preheated oven on the middle shelf. 11-After about 5 minutes of baking, brush some more water on top of the bread. 12-Bake the loaf until it is light brown and crusty - about 12 to 18 minutes total baking time.

CUBAN SANDWICH BREAD

Steps:

• For the first part:.
• Combine and mix all the ingredients from the first part using an electric mixer or by hand. Let rest, covered, for 4 hours.
• For the second part:.
• Using a dough hook attachment on an electric mixer, combine and mix the ingredients from the second part into the first part until smooth, around 10 minutes. Cut into 13-ounce pieces. Using a rolling pin, roll one 13-ounce piece to the size of a baking tray.
• Roll the dough into a large log and assemble 4 to 5 pieces on each tray. Cut each dough log into thirds, creating 3 loaves. Repeat with the other pieces. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a humid, warm location for 2 to 3 hours until they have doubled in size.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and bake until lightly golden, 30 to 40 minutes.