Portuguese sweet bread

Portuguese sweet bread is a delightful treat made from a blend of milk, sugar, eggs, yeast, flour, and occasionally a hint of lemon peel. The result is light and subtly sweet loaves or rolls. During Easter, a special version called "folar" is made, which often includes a hard-boiled egg nestled inside. While it is a traditional favorite during Christmas and Easter, you can find this tasty bread year-round.

Typically, Portuguese sweet bread is baked in a stone oven known as a "forno." It is often enjoyed with a pat of butter and pairs wonderfully with "arroz doce" a creamy rice pudding.

This bread enjoys a strong following in areas with large Portuguese American and Portuguese Canadian communities, such as New England, Hawaii, northern New Jersey, southern Florida, California, and Ontario, Canada—especially in Toronto. It has become a cherished part of both Hawaiian and New England cuisines.

Portuguese sweet bread also has an interesting history with Portuguese immigrants in Hawaii, who used to bake it in numerous "fornos" scattered across the islands. Today, companies like King's Hawaiian in California, along with various regional bakeries, continue to produce this beloved bread for everyone to enjoy.