Pão doce
Sweet custard bread
Pão doce: soft Brazilian bakery braid with a stripe of custard and toasted coconut
BrazilianA long, shiny braid of sweet bread with a ribbon of vanilla custard and a sprinkle of coconut down the middle is one of the most familiar sights in a Brazilian padaria, sold by the slice for the late-afternoon coffee break known as the café da tarde. The enriched dough is soft and milky, and the syrup brushed on as it leaves the oven gives the crust its sticky shine. Chef's tip: make the custard first so it is completely cold before it goes onto the dough.
- Total time
- 85 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 ⅛ lb plain flour
- ¾ cup milk, lukewarm
- 2 ⅞ oz sugar
- 2 ⅛ oz buttersoftened
- 2 eggs
- ¼ oz instant dried yeast
- ⅛ oz salt
For the custard
- 1 cup milk
- 1 ¾ oz sugar
- ⅔ oz cornflour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
To finish
- 1 eggbeaten
- 1 ⅜ oz desiccated coconut
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Mix the 1 ⅛ lb plain flour, 2 ⅞ oz sugar, ¼ oz instant dried yeast and ⅛ oz salt, then add the ¾ cup milk, lukewarm, 2 eggs and 2 ⅛ oz butter. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth, glossy and elastic. Cover and leave to rise for 1½ hours until doubled.
100 minStep 2: For the custard, whisk the 1 cup milk, 1 ¾ oz sugar, 2 egg yolks, ⅔ oz cornflour and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a pan. Cook over a medium heat, whisking all the time, until it thickens and bubbles for 1 minute. Cover the surface with cling film and cool completely.
10 minStep 3: Divide the dough in half, then each half into 3 ropes about 35 cm long. Plait each set of 3 into a braid and place on lined trays.
15 minStep 4: Cover and prove for 45 minutes until puffy. Heat the oven to 350°F.
45 minStep 5: Brush the braids with the 1 egg, pipe or spoon the custard along the centre and sprinkle with the 1 ⅜ oz desiccated coconut. Spreading custard that is still warm is the common mistake: it melts into the dough and runs off.
5 minStep 6: Bake for 25–30 minutes until deep golden and hollow-sounding underneath.
28 minStep 7: Boil the 2 tbsp sugar and 2 tbsp water for 1 minute and brush over the hot braids. Cool before slicing.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 280 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 44 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does pão doce take?
- About 85 minutes in total: 45 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of milk, lukewarm?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
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