Mazza Savada Portuguese Sweet Bread Recipes

MASSA SOVADA (PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD)

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.

MASSA SOVADA - PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl dissolve yeast in warm water and allow to proof, about 10 minutes.
• Scald milk and stir in sugar, butter and salt. Stir until butter is melted.
• Combine cinnamon and flour.
• Add half the flour to the milk and mix until smooth.
• Beat 3 eggs and add them and the yeast to the mixture. Continue adding flour to make a soft dough.
• Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and satiny, about 15 minutes.
• Knead raisins in at this point, if using.
• Shape into a ball and place into a well buttered bowl, turning to cover, and allow to rise until doubled in bulk, 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
• Punch dough down and divide in half.
• Place in two greased loaf pans and allow to rise until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Beat remaining egg. Brush tops of loaves with egg.
• Bake for 20 - 30 minutes or until golden and hollow sounding when thumped on the bottom.
• Cool on wire racks.

MAZZA SAVADA (PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD)

Steps:

• Set this sponge over-night. Cut down in morning. Shape in two round loaves using layer cake pans(greased.)
• Let rise about an hour. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD

Steps:

• To make the sponge, stir together the flour, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Add the water and stir until all the ingredients are hydrated and make a smooth batter. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and ferment at room temperature for 60 to 90 minutes, or until the sponge gets foamy and seems on the verge of collapse.
• To make the dough, combine the sugar, salt, powdered milk, butter, and shortening in a 4-quart mixing bowl (or the bowl of an electric mixer). Cream together with a sturdy spoon (or the paddle attachment) until smooth, then mix in the eggs and the extracts. Knead by hand (or switch to the dough hook attachment) and mix in the sponge and the flour. Add the water, as needed, to make a very soft dough. The finished dough should be very supple and soft, easy to knead, and not wet or sticky. It will take 10 to 12 minutes with the electric mixer and close to 15 minutes by hand to achieve this consistency. (Dough with high amounts of fat and sugar usually take longer to knead because the gluten requires more time to set up.) The finished dough should pass the windowpane test (see NOTE below) and register 77 to 88 degrees F. Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, rolling it around to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
• Ferment at room temperature for approximately 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into two equal pieces. Form each of the pieces into a boule. Lightly oil two 9-inch pie pans and place 1 boule, seam side down, in each pan. Mist the dough with spray oil and loosely cover the pans with plastic wrap.
• Proof at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, or until the dough fills the pans fully, doubling in size and overlapping the edges slightly. (If you only want to bake one loaf, you may retard the second in the fridge for 1 day, although it will take 4 to 5 hours to proof after it comes out of the refrigerator.)
• Very gently brush the loaves with egg wash. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with the oven rack on the middle shelf.
• Bake the loaves for 50 to 60 minutes, or until they register 190 F in the center. After 30 minutes, check the loaves and rotate 180 degrees, if necessary, for even baking. Because of the high amount of sugar, the dough will brown very quickly, but don't be fooled into thinking it is done. It will get darker as the center gradually catches up with the outside, but it will not burn. The final color will be a rich mahogany brown.
• Remove the bread from the pie pans and place on a rack to cool. The bread will soften as it cools, resulting in a very soft, squishy loaf. Allow the bread to cool for at least 90 minutes before slicing or serving.

PORTUGUESE SWEET BREAD I

Steps:

• Add ingredients in order suggested by your manufacturer.
• Select "sweet bread" setting.