Portuguese Sweet Bread
Posted on October 27, 2007
1/2 Pint Half & Half
6 Cups Flour
1 1/4 C Sugar
1/2 Cup Cooked Mashed Potatoes
1/4 Lb. Butter
1 1/2 tsp Salt
5 Eggs
2 Pgs Yeast
Cut potatoes in cubes and boil using no salt. Mash (use no milk or butter), allow to come to room temperature. Dissolve 1 pkg yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 1/4 C warm water (90° F). Add to potatoes along with 2 Tbsp of sugar. Let stand about 1/2 hour until this mixture rises. In mixer bowl, combine 2 C flour, 1 pkg yeast, sugar and salt. Heat butter to 120-130° F, add to flour, mix until smooth. Beat eggs and add to mixture along with potato mix. Add remaining flour in sufficient quantities until dough is no longer sticky.
Turn out on lightly floured board and knead for 6 - 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top, cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled. Mold into buns or round loaves, let rise again. Put flour, melted butter and half- & -half, or egg white and sugar over tops of buns or loaves. Bake at 350° F until golden brown, about 40-45 minutes. Remove to rack and cool. Note: If using conventional loaf pans, make three loaves.