Massa Sovada (Portuguese Sweetbread)

Ingredients

• •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

Directions

1. 1Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. 2Dissolve yeast in warm water. Scald milk and add to sugar, butter and
3. 3salt;
4. 4stir until butter is melted. Mix cinnamon and flour. Add 1/2 the flour
5. 5to
6. 6the milk/sugar/butter/salt, and mix until smooth. Beat 3 eggs and add
7. 7them
8. 8and the yeast to the mixture.
9. 9Continue to add remaining flour to make soft dough. Remove it from the
10. 10bowl
11. 11and place on floured board. Knead until smooth and satiny (about 15
12. 12mins.).
13. 13Shape into a ball and place in buttered bowl. Cover and let rise until
14. 14double in size (2-1/2 to 3 hours).
15. 15Punch risen dough down and divide it in half. Place in two greased pans
16. 16(8 inches round). Let rise in warm place until double in size (1-1/2 to 2
17. 17hours). Brush tops of dough with remaining egg (beaten).
18. 18Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on
19. 19wire racks.