Cuban Bread

Here is the recipe for my Mom.

Cuban Bread

5-6 cups white flour

4 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast

1 Tablespoon salt

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 cups hot water (120-130 degrees) heated in microwave for a few minutes

Put 4 cups flour and yeast, salt and sugar in mixer and mix together.  Pour in the water and mix for 3 minutes.  Do it slowly as it can make a mess if your mixer is going too fast.  Gradually add more flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl and forms a large ball in the center.  Knead with dough hook for 8 minutes.  

Let rest for 15 minutes covered with plastic wrap.  Punch down and cut in half and form two rounds and slash an X with a sharp knife across each round.  Put on a baking sheet sprayed with Pam or on parchment.  Put into a cold oven on the middle rack.  Place a large pan of water under the middle rack and leave it while the bread cooks.  This adds steam and moisture to the oven.  Cook at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes.  

Notes:  Check your oven temperature with a thermometer since all ovens can be off quite a bit. Check the bread after cooking 4o minutes.  Don't put too much flour in the dough.  Make sure your mixer is on a dry surface as it will move if it is wet.  I just happened to catch my whole Bosch as it went off the counter heading towards the floor. So now I try not to leave it while it is kneading.  

This has a very nice texture and a wonderful taste.  I have made it 4 times now and doubled the batch twice.  I put it in the freezer and it is great thawed.  Everyone loves it and it is so easy.

See picture on April 23rd blog post.