*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                   Massa Sovada (Portuguese Sweetbread)

Recipe By     : 
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Breads                           Portuguese

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      packages      yeast
     1/4  cup           water  -- warm
   1      cup           milk  -- scalded
   1      cup           sugar
   2      teaspoons     cinnamon
     1/2  cup           butter or margarine
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
   6      cups          all-purpose flour
   4                    eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
Dissolve yeast in warm water.  Scald milk and add to sugar, butter and 
salt;
stir until butter is melted.  Mix cinnamon and flour.  Add 1/2 the flour 
to
the milk/sugar/butter/salt, and mix until smooth.  Beat 3 eggs and add 
them
and the yeast to the mixture.

Continue to add remaining flour to make soft dough.  Remove it from the 
bowl
and place on floured board.  Knead until smooth and satiny (about 15 
mins.).
Shape into a ball and place in buttered bowl.  Cover and let rise until
double in size (2-1/2 to 3 hours).

Punch risen dough down and divide it in half.  Place in two greased pans
(8 inches round).  Let rise in warm place until double in size (1-1/2 to 2
hours).  Brush tops of dough with remaining egg (beaten).

Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on
wire racks.

NOTES:  I have found that if I initially heat up the oven and then turn it
off, I put the dough in there to rise and it rises twice as fast.

Also, I don't know if this violates any rules, but I've found that I 
prefer
this bread with raisins added.

Finally, as I mentioned to those who have gotten this recipe already, this
bread makes the best toast in the world! (Personal opinion, of course..)


                   

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