Baking is one of my favorite things to do whenever am board in the house. This bread is soft, sweet and chewy at the same. An extra easy, step by step recipe of how to make the famous Ghana sugar bread. It is even better eaten with a hot chocolate milk tea in the morning before starting the day.
Ingredients:
6 cups all purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
3 tsp yeast
1 cup water
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 stick unsalted butter (8 Tbsp)
How To Make It:
You can either use your hands or a stand dough mixer. In this recipe, I will be using a stand dough mixer.
In a large bowl, add all the measured ingredients starting with the flour.
Using the dough hook, mix on the lowest setting speed you have. Mix for 5 to 7 minutes or until all the ingredients are well combined.
The dough should be a bit sticky. Transfer it onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes. This process will help develop the gluten that are found in bread. Gluten is what gives bread it’s unique texture. It is also the secret for a satisfying chewy, soft and a fluffy bread.
Add 1 tbsp of oil in a large bowl. Then place the dough in the oiled bowl. Cover with a plastic wrap and leave in a warm area to rise. About 45 minutes to 1 hour.
After 45 minutes to an hour, punch the middle to let out some of the air pockets trapped in the dough.
Transfer the dough onto a clean surface and knead again with your hands for about 8 to 10 minutes. Try not to use flour this at point.
If you are using a loaf pan, divide the dough into four equal parts. Shape them into a loaf shape then place them in a 9 x 5 in. pan. Cover them and leave them in a warm place to rise. This should take about 30 to 45 minutes.
BUT, in this recipe, I will be showing you my favorite way of shaping my homemade bread.
Using a dough scraper divide the dough into two equal parts. Put one half on the side. Then, work on the other half. Cut the dough into small pieces. About 10 small pieces.
Shape all the dough into round shapes.
You will need a 10 inch nonstick fluted cake pan for this.
Grease the pan with butter and sprinkle a bit of flour. Make sure the flour is coated well by tilting the pan all around.
Lay the pieces of dough in the pan one at a time, making sure they are touching each other and very well snuggled together.
Cover with a plastic wrap and leave it to rise. About 30 to 45 minutes.
For the other half of the dough, cut it into 3 equal parts. Then using a rolling pin, roll each one flat.
Then roll the dough from the wider side to the other wider side.
Using both of your hands, roll the dough back and forth into a rope-like shape.
Lay them vertically next to each other. Pinch and connect the top ends together.
Braid the dough from top to bottom. Pinch and tuck under.
Place the braided dough on a lightly greased baking sheet pan. Cover and leave it to rise. About 30 to 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place them in the oven and turn the oven down to 325 degrees F. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes.
After the bread are baked, take them out of the oven and leave them in the pan for about 3 minutes before taking them out of the pan.
Use the same process if using a regular loaf shape bread pan.
Allow the bread to cool completely before cutting.
