Portuguese sweet bread facts for kids
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| Alternative names | pão doce, massa sovada |
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| Type | bread |
| Course | dessert |
| Place of origin | Portugal |
| Associated national cuisine | Portuguese cuisine |
| Main ingredients | milk, sugar, flour, eggs, butter, yeast, salt |
Portuguese sweet bread is a yummy, slightly sweet bread. It is also known as pão doce, which means "sweet bread" in Portuguese. Another name for it is massa sovada, meaning "kneaded dough". This bread is soft and has a light texture.
Contents
What is Portuguese Sweet Bread?
This special bread is made with simple ingredients. These include milk, sugar, flour, eggs, butter, yeast, and salt. Sometimes, a little lemon peel is added for extra flavor. This gives the bread a subtle, sweet taste.
The Easter Version
During Easter, a slightly different kind of Portuguese sweet bread is made. It is called folar. This Easter bread often has a hard-boiled egg baked right into it. It is a fun and traditional treat for the holiday.
When is it Eaten?
Portuguese sweet bread is a traditional food for special times. It is often made around Christmas and Easter. However, you can find and enjoy this bread all year round. In the past, it was often baked in a special stone oven called a forno.
How is it Served?
This bread is usually served in a simple way. People often enjoy it with just some butter. Sometimes, it is served with a creamy rice pudding. This pudding is known as arroz doce in Portuguese.
Where is it Popular?
Portuguese sweet bread is very popular in places where many Portuguese Americans and Portuguese Canadians live. You can find it in areas like New England, Hawaii, and northern New Jersey. It is also common in southern Florida, California, and in Ontario, Canada, especially in Toronto.
Its Place in Cuisine
This sweet bread is an important part of Hawaiian and New England cuisine. Many years ago, Hawaii had many fornos. These ovens were built by Portuguese immigrants to bake their traditional breads. Today, companies like King's Hawaiian in California make Portuguese sweet bread. Many local bakeries also bake this delicious bread.
