PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD - PAO DOCE

Portuguese Sweet Bread - Pao Doce image

Provided by Leahs Kitchen

Time 4h35m

Yield 2 loaves, 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup lukewarm milk (scalded, then cooled)
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter, softened
5 -6 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg (for glaze)
1 teaspoon sugar (for glaze)

Steps:

Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl.
Stir in milk, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs, salt, margarine or butter, and 3 cups of flour.
Beat until smooth.
Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make the dough easy to handle.
Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic - about 5 minutes.
Place in a greased bowl and let rise in a warm place until it is double in size - about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Punch down dough and divide in half.
Shape each half into a round slightly flat loaf.
Place each loaf into a well greased round 9" x 1 1/2" pan.
Cover and let rise until double (a/b an hour).
Heat oven to 350°F.
Beat 1 egg and brush over tops of loaves.
Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Bake until loaves are golden brown, about 35-45 minutes.