Azorean Sweet Bread (Massa Sovada)

Azorean Sweet Bread (Massa Sovada) is a traditional regional sweet from the Azores, typically associated with the Festas do Espírito Santo. The preparation differs from island to island, but the basic ingredients and the final result are quite similar.

It is also known as the Bread of the Festas do Espírito Santo. Additionally, Massa Sovada is the sweet bread traditionally served with the unique and magnificent Terceira-style Alcatra.

Where to Buy Massa Sovada

You can easily find Massa Sovada year-round in supermarkets and stores. It is also available online, with an average price of €4.50 (online store).

Ingredients

Yeast Mixture

• 1 sweet potato;
• 1 egg;
• 1 tablespoon of sugar;
• 20g of baker’s yeast;
• 125g of flour;

Dough

• 2 kg of wheat flour;
• 250g of sugar;
• 10 eggs;
• 400g of butter;
• 500 ml of milk;
• 1 teaspoon of lemon zest;
• Salt to taste;

Kneading the dough is an essential step in this recipe because stretching the dough helps develop the gluten, which gives it texture and helps distribute the gases produced by the yeast.

Preparation

The Day Before

Prepare the yeast mixture the day before. Boil the sweet potato with its skin, then peel and mash it. To the mashed sweet potato, add one beaten egg, sugar, and baker’s yeast dissolved in warm water.

Add the flour to achieve a medium consistency. Cover and let it rise overnight.

Making the Massa Sovada

On the next morning, sift the flour and sugar into a bowl. Make a well in the center and add the eggs. Beat the eggs, mixing them into the flour.

Melt the butter (without letting it boil) and add it to the mixture. Finally, add the yeast mixture prepared the day before. Knead the dough very well until it forms bubbles and comes away from the sides of the bowl. After kneading, cover the bowl, keep it warm, and let it rise for about 10 minutes. After that time, knead the dough for about 30 minutes. Cover it again and knead once more before shaping the dough.

Tip: Prepare in the morning and bake in the late afternoon.

Cooking the Massa Sovada

Now that it’s time to bake the dough, take small portions of the dough (the size you prefer), stretch and fold them. Place them on a floured cloth and let them rise for a bit. Before baking, brush the tops with beaten egg.

Bake in a hot oven (180°C) until golden.

Step-by-Step Recipe Video

As usual, Leonor Santos from the YouTube channel Sabores dos Açores shares her Massa Sovada recipe:

Recipe Version for 1 Large Bread