Cuban bread

Add 3/4 cup of warm water to a bowl.

Add 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1 pack of instant yeast to the water and let it rest for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, check the yeast to see if it is active.

Add 3 tablespoons of lard, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 3 cups of bread flour (starting with 1 cup) to the bowl.

Mix the ingredients together and then add half of the prepared starter.

Knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes until it is smooth.

Add some oil to the dough to prevent it from drying out and cover it with saran wrap.

Let the dough rest for 2 hours to double in size.

After 2 hours, punch down the dough to deflate it.

Shape the dough into a rectangular shape for braiding.

Roll the dough and shape it into loaves, tucking the ends under.

Make an impression down the center of the dough using a tool (instead of a palm leaf).

Cover the dough with a warm cloth and let it rise for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Spray the top of the bread with water or brush it with water to help form the crust.

Bake the bread at 425 degrees for 20 minutes, placing a baking dish with water in the oven for moisture.

Equipment Needed

Allergens