Nancy's Sweet Bread Ring
Portuguese sweet bread, known as "massa sovada"" is a traditional bread originating from Portugal, particularly the Azores. It’s a rich, slightly sweet, and airy bread made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and yeast. What sets this bread apart is its delicate flavor, often enhanced with a hint of citrus zest (lemon).
The dough is kneaded until soft and elastic ("sovada" means kneaded), then shaped into round loaves or braided rings, and baked to a golden brown. The result is a fluffy, tender bread with a beautiful, light sweetness. Portuguese sweet bread is often enjoyed during holidays, such as Easter, Christmas and feasts, and pairs well with butter, jam, or even as part of a meal. Its gentle sweetness and texture make it universally loved.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 5 cups of all purpose Flour
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Baking tray size - 16 x 22
Yeast:
- 1/2 cup of lukewarm water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of yeast
- 1 teaspoon of all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar
Egg wash:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon of water
Watch the video for directions.
Video Credit: DIYwithnancyg
