Portuguese Sweet Bread

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 ounces dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 7 eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup sugar
• 8-9 cups flour, sifted
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. 1

   Dissolve yeast in large bowl with warm water and a pinch sugar. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

2. 2

   Scald milk. Add butter to melt, then add the salt and stir. Let cool to 100 degrees.

3. 3

   In electric mixer, beat eggs until frothy. Add sugar and beat 3 minutes. Blend in milk mixture. Stir into yeast mixture in large bowl.

4. 4

   Stir in 7 cups flour, 1 cup at a time.

5. 5

   Dough should be soft and pull away from sides of bowl. Turn dough onto well floured surface and sprinkle with 1 cup flour. Knead about 10 minutes (adding up to 1 more cup flour).

6. 6

   Grease large bowl. Add dough turning to coat both sides. Cover and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size (about 2 hours).

7. 7

   Punch down dough. Let rest 10 minutes. Now cut dough in half to make two loaves. You can braid one loaf or put in a greased 1 quart casserole dish or cake pan.

8. 8

   Cover and let rise once more (about 1 hour).

9. 9

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

10. 10

    Bake until loaves are golden brown and hollow sounding about 30 minutes. Brush tops with melted butter when done. Also freezes well.