Massa-Sweet Bread-Mrs. Angelo

By amaliana

"The Portuguese visit among friends at Easter time, so it's a pleasant custom to give their friends a loaf of Easter bread."

Ingredients

• 3 envelopes active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 1 cup milk
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp. salt
• 8 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 10 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tsps. shortening for handling

Preparation

Step 1

Mix yeast with lukewarm water. Heat milk until lukewarm; add butter and salt. Beat eggs and sugar for about 3-4 minutes; then add the milk mixture, the yeast and eight cups of flour. Add balance of flour as needed. Knead for about 20 minutes or until the dough is smooth and does not stick to hands. Place the dough in a bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for 4-6 hours, or until doubled in bulk. if the dough falls when touched lightly with the fingers, it has risen enough. Shape into 4 loaves, place in pans 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" x 2 1/2" and let rise again for 2-3 hours.
Cut small diagonal slits about 1/4" deep in tops of loaves and press into dough a raw egg(still in shell which has been washed in cold water).
Place one or two strips of dough over egg. Bake for 1 hour at 300 degrees.