MASSA SOVADA - PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD

This "PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD" is an absolute hammer! It's unique fluffy and airy texture is wonderful and it's great golden colour make it the ideal Sunday morning breakfast bread.

I really recommend you to test this sweet dream as it's marvelousness will blow you off your feet, because there is nothing quite comparable to this bread.

This recipe was taken from www.recipezaar.com. Please note that I have taken the liberty to change a few things from the original text and recipe...

Makes two 9-inches loaves.

Ingredients:
1/2 Tsp Catsor sugar (for yeast preparation)
82,5g Castor sugar
62,5ml Lukewarm water
1/2 Tbs Active dry yeast
3 eggs (~50g), at room temperature
1/3 Tsp Salt
125ml Tepid milk
600g Plain white flour
62,5ml Butter, melted and cooled
Topping:
2 Tsp Melted butter

Method:
1. In measuring cup, dissolve 1/2 Tsp sugar in lukewarm water and sprinkle in yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until frothy.
2. In large bowl, beat eggs, salt and remaining sugar for 2 minutes, or until foamy.
3. Stir yeast mixture vigorously with fork and stir into egg/salt/sugar mixture.
4. Stir in milk and gradually beat in flour.
5. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
5. Return dough to bowl and gradually add butter.
6. Continue kneading (out of the bowl) until all butter is blended into dough.
7. Place in lightly greased bowl, turning to grease all over.
8. Cover and let rise in draft-free place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
9. Punch down dough; turn out, divide into two portions and form each portion into a ball.
10. Knead each ball for 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
11. Shape dough into two round loaves or into the shape you desire to have.12. Place on a buttered baking sheet, cover dough and set aside. Prove until doubled in size for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
13. Bake in 160°C (325°F) oven for 25 minutes, or until golden on top.
14. Turn off heat and transfer to wire rack to cool.
15. Place 1 Tsp butter on each loaf and brush to coat top. Blot off excess with paper towels.

Remarks:
It might be very hard to integrate that melted butter to the dough, but you must perseverate; at the end it suddenly gets incorporated.

Serving suggestions:
It is ideal when accompanied by homemade "LEMON CURD" and raspberry jam or by light tasting honey. When buttered it is equally delicious.

(Sweet Portuguese Bread -Pic by Rosa @Rosa's Yummy Yums)