Portuguese Sweet Bread-Ring

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil provides a dairy-free option with similar richness.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk reduces calories while maintaining moisture.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey adds flavor complexity and moisture.

raisins

🥗Healthier: dried cranberries

💰Cheaper: sultanas

Dried cranberries offer a tart alternative.

Combine 1/2 cup lukewarm water, 1.5 tablespoons yeast, 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon sugar in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, sift together 5 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt.

Melt 1 stick of butter and 2 tablespoons of Crisco shortening with 1 cup of milk and the zest of 1 lemon over low heat until just melted, then let cool.

Mix 3 eggs in a bowl on high for about a minute.

Combine the cooled milk and butter mixture with the eggs, then add the yeast mixture and mix until combined.

Gradually add the flour mixture and mix for about a minute to combine.

Switch to a dough hook and knead on low speed for 5 minutes until the dough is sticky.

Cover the dough with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil around the outside of the dough and knead it 10-12 times.

Cover and let rise for another 20 minutes.

After the second rise, let the dough rise for 1.5 to 2 hours until doubled or tripled in size without punching it down.

Shape the dough into a ring with a hole in the middle and place it in a baking dish.

Cover and let rise for another 45 minutes.

Prepare an egg wash with 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of warm water and brush it over the dough.

Preheat the oven to 305°F and bake for 1 hour.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens