recipes for these authentic Portuguese foods. “Massa Suvada,” or Portuguese Sweet Bread, is traditionally served on Easter, with the eggs symbolizing new life in the Resurrection. Sometimes a whole egg is actually baked into the bottom of the loaf. We had it hot out of the oven, then toasted on a fancy wire toaster that looked like a four-sided pyramid. This bread is too good to eat only once a year.
Scald 1 cup milk. Add 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup butter (not shortening), 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, and stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Cool.
Soften 1 package or 1 cake yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Add to cooled milk mixture. Transfer to large bowl. Beat in 4 eggs. Add 1/2 teaspoon mace and 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (optional); stir in 5 to 6 cups flour. Dough should be firm and only slightly sticky.
Turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. When it’s a round ball and feels as smooth as a baby’s behind, it’s OK.
Place dough in a greased bowl covered with waxed paper and a clean cloth. Let rise double slowly, 3 to 4 hours in a cool place, or overnight in the refrigerator.
When the dough is well risen, punch down, re-cover, and let rise again, 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
Punch down again, shape 2 loaves, and place in greased pans or on greased sheet. Cover and let rise double, about 1 hour.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 degrees F and bake until loaves are well browned and sound hollow when tapped, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on rack.
Recent Reader Reviews [Add your review]
We used to get this kind of bread many years ago in Seekonk, Massachusetts, from our Portugeuse friends. Gave some of it to our Portugeuse friend here in Manchester
DO NOT BAKE AT 400 – KEEP AT 375 FOR WHOLE TIME OTHERWISE IT GETS TOO BROWN. add only a small amount of made otherwise it is overpowering. bake at 375 but dont bake for only 30 mins and then test bread – otherwise it browns too much – don’ty use spray butter can.