Portuguese Sweet Bread

adopt a greyhound's Note:

Absolutely Delicious. I love this recipe. The loaves rise so beautiful and the inside is so soft and airy.. GREAT toasting bread. Also wonderful for french toast... YUMMY.. I think I'll make a loaf tomorrow. This is for Andy, it doesn't include rising times for the bread.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 24

Yield: 2.0 loaves

• 2 ¼ ounces dry yeast
• ½ cup warm water
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup butter
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 7 eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup sugar
• 8 -9 cups flour , sifted
• 2 tablespoons butter , melted

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast in large bowl with warm water and a pinch sugar. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
2. Scald milk. Add butter to melt, then add the salt and stir. Let cool to 100 degrees.
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. Stir in 7 cups flour, 1 cup at a time.
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. 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. 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. Cover and let rise once more (about 1 hour).
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
10. Bake until loaves are golden brown and hollow sounding about 30 minutes. Brush tops with melted butter when done. Also freezes well.