Brazilians love sweet bread!  there are many varieties of this delicious treat and you find them in every bakery around the country. Sweet bread was brought to Brazil by the Portuguese, it is as popular there as it is in Brazil. Great with butter and honey or fruit preserves, it is usually  served at breakfast or in the afternoon accompanied by a cup of bold strong coffee or” café au lait”

Ingredients:

• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup lukewarm water
• 1/2 cup lukewarm milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 4 tablespoons of butter softened
• 4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup granulated coconut sugar or brown sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add milk, 1/2 cup sugar,salt, vanilla, eggs, butter and 1/2 cups of flour and whisk all together, it will look like a cake batter.
2. Then add remaining flour and knead until dough is elastic and easy to handle.
3. Turn dough onto the counter top and grease the bowl. Set dough back in bowl and turn greased side up. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and place dough in a warm area and let it rise for ate least 1 hour. I like to place mine outside , the warmth of the sun is perfect.
4. Cover a cookie tray with parchment paper and set aside
5.  Punch  dough and place it on a lightly floured kitchen counter. Divide dough in half. Then divide each half into three parts. Roll each part into a 16 inches string approximately and braid them. Makes 2 braids. Place them on cookie tray and let them rise for another hour.
6. Heat oven to 325F. Bake them until  golden brown, approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven, brush bread with water and sprinkle granulated coconut sugar or brown sugar on top.

ENJOY!