Portuguese sweet bread, also known as massa sovada, is a beloved culinary treasure of Portugal, renowned for its delectable flavor and soft, pillowy texture. This enriched bread holds a special place in Portuguese cuisine, often served during festive occasions and gatherings, adding a touch of sweetness to celebrations. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, embarking on a journey to create the perfect massa sovada can be a rewarding experience. With careful attention to ingredients, technique, and a sprinkle of patience, you can replicate this iconic bread in your own kitchen. Discover the secrets behind the perfect massa sovada, unraveling the culinary heritage and techniques that have shaped this cherished Portuguese delicacy.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD (MASSA SOVADA)
No where else can make a sweet bread loaf like my hometown of Fall River, MA. It is a traditional recipe that is known to be brought over from the immigrants of São Miguel. This bread is most popular at Easter, but enjoyed year round. I like to have mine for breakfast with a little butter added on it. But, it is also served for...
Provided by Tara Pacheco
Categories Other Breakfast
Time 8h40m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- 1. Dissolve yeast in water and let rise to double in size.
- 2. Mix together flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a small saucepan, melt butter and shortening in milk over medium heat and cool to lukewarm. Beat eggs and sugar together.
- 3. Mix all ingredients together and knead until dough lifts neatly from bowl. Let rise, usually six to eight hours.
- 4. Punch down, deflating the dough. Form individual breads and put in buttered and floured pans (most any shape or size will do). The dough should fill only half the pan. Let rise again until dough doubles in size, filling the pan.
- 5. Brush top of dough with beaten egg.
- 6. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes (adjust longer cook time for larger loaves). The bread should be golden brown.
PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD - PãO DOCE (MASSA SOVADA)
This is a light and airy bread created by Portuguese residents from the Azores Islands as a sweet bread for Christmas and Easter. (For Easter, 2-3 boiled eggs are baked into the dough). Today, it's served year-round for breakfast or to enjoy with tea or coffee. It's popular in many parts of the U.S. as well, as Azorean...
Provided by Vickie Parks
Categories Sweet Breads
Time 4h45m
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- 1. Heat milk, but do not scald. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted. Stir in the sugar and salt. Set aside to allow milk to cool.
- 2. Meanwhile, make yeast starter by mixing the packages of yeast with the warm water and sugar. Stir yeast until dissolved and let it rest until you see bubbles activating.
- 3. Beat 4 eggs for a few minutes, then add beaten eggs to the milk in a large mixing bowl. Add the yeast mixture to the milk along with the whiskey or lemon zest (if using), and beat for 2 minutes.
- 4. Begin adding the flour, 1 cup at a time, until it's all incorporated. Use your dough hooks or your hands to knead for about 10 minutes. The batter should be very silky and smooth but not sticky. Add more flour if you find the dough sticky.
- 5. Remove dough from mixer, place on a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it is smooth and soft. Place the dough into a large floured bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 2 to 3 hours or until doubled.
- 6. After the dough has doubled, punch it down (to deflate its volume). Divide dough in half, and place both halves on a floured surface. Form dough into two round loaves, and place loaves on a large greased baking sheet (or two smaller baking sheets). Or form dough into about 24 rolls, and place rolls about 1 inch apart in a lightly greased baking pan. Set baking pan(s) aside to let the dough rise for another hour (or place in a slightly warm oven for about 20 minutes or until almost double).
- 7. Preheat oven to 325°F.
- 8. Beat one egg with 1 Tbsp milk. Brush tops of the bread with the egg wash, and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, reduce oven temperature to 300°F, and bake another 30 minutes or until the bread has a golden caramel color. NOTE: rolls bake in less time, approximately 45 minutes.)
MASSA SOVADA (PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD)
Massa Sovada is is typically served on Easter and can often be found with an egg baked on it, symbolizing the resurrection. This recipe is from Yankee Magazine. Cook time does not include approximately 7 hours of rise time.
Provided by Scarlett516
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 20m
Yield 2 loaves
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Scald the milk by bringing it to nearly a boil.
- Add the sugar, butter, and salt. Stir until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
- Set aside and allow to cool.
- Proof the yeast in the warm water. Add to the milk mixture and transfer to a large bowl.
- Beat in the eggs.
- Add the mace and lemon extract.
- Slowly stir in 5-6 cups flour. The dough should be firm and only a little sticky.
- Knead on a floured surface (or with the dough hook on a stand mixer) until smooth and elastic.
- Put in a greased bowl, covered with wax paper or a clean cloth. Place in a cool place and allow to double slowly, about 3-4 hours.
- Punch, recover, and allow to rise another 1 1/2-2 hours.
- Punch down again and divide into 2 equal portions. Put in greased pans, cover, and allow to rise one more time for about 1 hour or until doubled.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 375°F and bake until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped (35-40 minutes).
- Cool on rack.
Tips:
- Proof the yeast properly: Before using the yeast, make sure it is active and bubbly. To do this, dissolve the yeast in warm water with a little bit of sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. If the yeast is still active, it will foam. If not, discard it and use fresh yeast.
- Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the bread will taste. If possible, use organic ingredients for the best flavor.
- Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough develops the gluten, which gives the bread its structure and texture. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place: The dough needs to rise in a warm place in order to double in size. A warm oven or a sunny windowsill are both good places to let the dough rise.
- Bake the bread at a high temperature: Bake the bread at a high temperature (375-400 degrees Fahrenheit) for the first 15-20 minutes. This will create a crispy crust and a light and fluffy interior.
Conclusion:
Massa Sovada is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is easy to make and can be customized with a variety of different flavors and fillings. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced baker, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love