Hey there, friend! Easter is just around the corner, and with it comes a time of joy, family gatherings, and delicious food. One of the most beloved Easter traditions in many Portuguese households is the baking and sharing of Portuguese sweet bread. If you’ve never heard of it, let me tell you all about this delicious treat and why it holds such a special place in the hearts of so many.
First things first, what is Portuguese sweet bread? This traditional bread, also known as Pão Doce, is a rich, buttery, slightly sweet loaf with a soft and fluffy texture. It’s usually round or oval-shaped and often decorated with a cross on top or braided into intricate patterns accompanied by some eggs. The bread is typically enjoyed on Easter morning, either as a breakfast treat or served with a festive Easter meal.
So, what makes Portuguese sweet bread so special? Well, for starters, it’s a labor of love. The dough requires several hours of rising, and the shaping and baking process can take almost as long. But the end result is bread that’s truly worth the effort. The rich, buttery flavor and soft, fluffy texture are truly irresistible, making it a favorite among young and old alike.
But Portuguese sweet bread is more than just a tasty treat. It’s also steeped in cultural and religious significance. In many Portuguese households, the bread is baked in the days leading up to Easter and shared with family and friends on Easter morning. In my family, Good Friday is when we begin this tradition. My mother begins this process along with making another type of bread called Pão de Azeite. It’s an all-day event resulting in some delicious homemade warm and fresh bread served by the end of the night usually with some butter and/or Portuguese goat cheese.
The act of sharing the bread represents unity and togetherness, a symbol of the bond between loved ones. And the religious significance of the bread goes even deeper. The act of breaking and sharing the bread on Easter morning is a reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made for his followers and the love and unity that he preached.
In many Portuguese households, the baking of sweet bread is a family affair. The women and children in the family are often enlisted to help with the mixing and shaping of the dough, and the process of making the bread becomes a bonding experience for all involved. And on Easter morning, the bread is enjoyed with family and friends, with a fresh cup of brewed coffee, and then enjoyed again as a dessert often followed by other traditional Easter foods such as a roasted pig and roasted lamb.
If you’re interested in making your own Portuguese sweet bread this Easter, try this recipe that goes back decades in my family. Just be prepared for a bit of work and a lot of love to go into the process. But trust me, the end result is well worth it. And if you’re lucky enough to have a Portuguese friend or family member who bakes their own sweet bread, make sure to ask for a slice on Easter morning. If you’re lucky enough to invite a Portuguese friend over, they might even bake one just for you! It’s a true treat that’s not to be missed.
Portuguese sweet bread is a beloved Easter tradition that combines delicious flavors with cultural and religious significance. It’s a symbol of unity and togetherness, and the act of sharing the bread with loved ones is a reminder of the importance of family and community. So, if you’re looking for a new Easter tradition to start with your own family, consider baking your own batch of Portuguese Sweet Bread or as we like to call it, Pão Doce. You won’t regret it!
Tips:
- Use good quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will affect the taste and texture of your Sweet bread. Use high-quality flour, sugar, and yeast for the best results.
- If you don’t have a Kitchen Aid mixer, mixing with your hands will work just fine. This is how my grandmother used to do it. Some good ole hard work and sweat were the trick!
- Knead the dough well: Kneading the dough well will help develop the gluten, which is essential for a good texture. You should knead the dough for at least 15-20 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise properly: The dough needs time to rise, so be patient. It should double in size before you shape it into rolls. You can speed up the rising process by placing the dough in a warm, draft-free place such as an oven.
- Don’t overbake: Sweet Bread should be golden brown on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Don’t overbake it, or it will become dry and tough. If it starts to get a little more toasty than you’d like, simply place aluminum foil over it while it continues to bake.
- Brush with egg wash: Before baking, brush the top of the dough with egg wash. This will give it a shiny, golden-brown finish.
- Let cool before serving: Sweet Bread is best served warm, but it’s important to let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into it. This will help it retain its shape and texture.
- This bread can last for a few days. But it might not last that long because of how irresistible it is!
- It can be frozen in an air-tight Ziploc bag for up to 2-3 months. Just remove from freezer and bag and let defrost.
Have fun with this recipe. Feel free to share what you have done in the comments below or share a picture of you enjoying this delicious meal!
Bom apetite! Enjoy your meal!
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Portuguese Sweet Bread
Equipment
- 1 kitchen aid mixer, with dough attachment
- 1 loaf pan
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cups of sugar + 1 tsp
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp of salt
- ½ cup of warm whole milk
- ½ cup of salted butter 8 tbsp + 1 tbsp for greasing pan
- 1 tbsp of dry active yeast
- Zest of one whole Navel orange
- Juice of half an orange
- I cup of warm water
Topping
- 3 eggs for decor
- 1 egg for eggwash + 1 tsp of cold water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 150℉ for 10 min. Shut off the heat and keep the door closed.
- In a small saucepan combine milk and butter and set on low heat until butter is melted. Shut off the heat and set it aside. It will need some time to cool off.
- In a bowl or measuring cup add 1 cup of warm water about 95℉. Add 1 tbsp of dry yeast and 1 tsp of sugar. Mix well and let sit aside for 10 min.
- This is an important step. Leave yeast, water and suagr to activate for 10 min. You will see the it will double in size. If that doesn't happen it means that your yeast isn't fresh.
- In a mixing bowl combine eggs and ¾ cup of sugar. Mix well on medium speed until butter and sugar become creamy and light in color for about 10 min.
- Add 2 cups of flour to the eggs and sugar. Add flour a spoonful at a time.
- After the 2 cups have been added, pour in the milk and melted butter.
- Mix well. Add the remaining 2 cups of flour, orange juice, orange zest, and water with yeast.
- Mix well for about 15-20 minutes on medium speed.
- The dough will begin to stretch and pull from the sides of the bowl.
- Place dough on a well-floured surface and knead the dough a few times and form it into a ball.
- Place the dough back in the mixing bowl and cover it with plastic wrap and a clean towel over it.
- Place in oven that has been warmed, and leave untouched to rise for 2 hours. The dough will double almost triple in size.
- Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and knead it on a floured surface a few more times and shape it into a braid. Take 3 eggs and place then where you would like on the dough. Place in baking pan and cover with a towel for an extra 30 minutes.
- 10 minutes before placing the bread in the oven preheat the oven to 380℉.
- When ready apply an egg wash with a basting brush (mix 1 whole egg + 1 tsp of cold water nad mix well) and place the dough in the oven and bake for 40 minutes. Do not open the door of the oven while baking.
- Remove from oven and let sit in the pan for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from the pan and place on a cooling rack.
- When completely cooled slice bread and Bom Apetite.
Fiz esta receita e ficou uma delícia muito fácil de fazer parabéns tentem não se arrependerão