Portuguese Sweet Bread

Portuguese Sweet Bread, also known as Pão Doce, is a traditional bread that is baked in Portugal during the Easter season. Learn how to make this delicious Easter treat with my family's recipe and enjoy it with your family and friends during the holiday season.

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Prep Time 3

Cook Time 45

Total Time 3 45

Course Breads

Cuisine Portuguese

Servings

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.