Milk Bread ‘Pão de Leite’

Ingredients

• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 cup lukewarm milk
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. active dry yeast
• 6 cups all purpose flour

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in lukewarm water, then stir in the yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam then stir in the 1 cup of lukewarm milk.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast mixture.
3. Using a wooden spoon mix in the flour, one cup at a time or use your stand mixer using the dough hook.
4. Once all the flour has been incorporated, place the well mixed dough on a floured surface and knead by hand until nice and smooth.
5. Place dough in well oiled bowl; turn to coat top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise about 1 hour in a draft free area.
6. Punch dough down, knead a few times. Divide dough in half.
7. Shape into loaves and place onto 2 greased 9×5-inch pans or form 2 long freestyle shape loaves and place on a greased cookie sheet, as I have..
8. Allow to rise 30 minutes or until dough has risen about 1? above pans.
9. Place in a 350 degree preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
10. Remove from pans immediately and cool completely before cutting.
11. For a soft crust, brush with melted butter as soon as you remove from the pan, if you prefer a crispy crust leave as is.