Açores Sweet Bread

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family, and cook.

About the Recipe

Açores Sweet Bread is a celebration bread, with a soft crumb and delicate aroma.

The recipe requires kneading, patient fermentation, and attentive baking to preserve the texture.

Ingredients

• 700 g of flour
• 12 g of dry yeast
• 250 ml of warm milk
• 150 g of sugar
• 4 eggs
• 100 g of butter
• Grated lemon zest
• 1 pinch of salt

Preparation Method

1. Mix yeast, milk, and part of the sugar.
2. Add flour, eggs, butter, zest, and salt.
3. Knead for a long time until the dough is elastic.
4. Let it rise until doubled in size.
5. Shape the loaves and let them rise again.
6. Bake until golden and sounds hollow when tapped.

Tips from Empório Portugal

• Long kneading is important.
• Fermentation should happen without haste.
• Lemon zest adds an Açorean fragrance.

Possible Substitutions in Brazil

• Whole milk improves softness.
• All-purpose flour works, but bread flour gives more structure.

Pairing

Coffee, black tea, or milk. No mandatory alcoholic beverage.