Holiday Sweet Bread (Pao Doce)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup lukewarm potato water
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 6 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 8 cups flour

Directions

1. 1

   Add the sugar and yeast to potato water, stir until dissolved. Blend in potatoes and ginger.

2. 2

   Set aside to rise until doubled in bulk.

3. 3

   Scald milk, add salt and cool to lukewarm. Beat eggs; add sugar gradually while continuing to beat; stir in cooled butter.

4. 4

   Combine yeast and egg mixtures; blend thoroughly.

5. 5

   Stir in 2 cups of flour, add milk and beat until thoroughly blended.

6. 6

   Stir in 2 more cups of flour; beat 5 minutes.

7. 7

   Add remaining flour gradually, kneading when dough becomes too stiff to beat.

8. 8

   Turn out on a floured board and knead 10 mins adding only enough extra flour to prevent sticking.

9. 9

   Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk.

10. 10

    Divide dough into 4 portions; shape into round loaves on oiled cookie sheets or place in oiled loaf pans.

11. 11

    Allow to rise until doubled in bulk.

12. 12

    Brush loaves with beaten egg; bake at 350°F for 50 minutes or until brown.