Oh, what a beautiful choice — Portuguese Sweet Bread (Pão Doce) is soft, slightly sweet, and rich with a buttery, eggy flavor. 🍞✨
It’s a traditional bread from the Azores and Madeira regions, often enjoyed at Easter or Christmas — though it’s wonderful any time of year. It’s a bit like Hawaiian sweet bread (which actually originated from this recipe).
🇵🇹 Portuguese Sweet Bread (Pão Doce)
🧺 Ingredients
- ½ cup warm milk (about 105–110°F / 40°C)
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3½–4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or lemon zest (optional but traditional)
(For brushing: 1 beaten egg + 1 tablespoon milk)
🔪 Instructions
1. Activate the yeast
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, and yeast.
- Let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Mix wet ingredients
- In a large bowl (or stand mixer), whisk together eggs, remaining sugar, melted butter, salt, and vanilla (or lemon zest).
- Stir in the yeast mixture.
3. Add flour
- Add 3 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition.
- Add remaining flour a little at a time until dough is soft and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Knead (by hand or mixer with dough hook) for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
4. First rise
- Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (about 1½ to 2 hours).
5. Shape the loaf
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf (or divide into rolls).
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a greased round cake pan.
- Cover and let rise again until nearly doubled (about 45–60 minutes).
6. Egg wash & bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brush the top gently with the egg wash for a glossy golden finish.
- Bake 25–35 minutes, until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
7. Cool & enjoy
- Let cool on a wire rack at least 15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm with butter, honey, or jam — or use it for French toast!
🌸 Tips & Variations
- For extra richness: Substitute half the milk with evaporated milk.
- Hawaiian-style twist: Add 1 tablespoon pineapple juice to the dough for tropical sweetness.
- Holiday version: Form into small rolls or braided rounds and sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking.
- Keeps soft for 3–4 days in an airtight container or can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Would you like me to include a stovetop or no-oven version of Portuguese sweet bread too (great if you don’t have an oven)?
