How to Make Ghanian Sugar Bread
Ghanaian sugar bread is a popular and beloved sweet bread known for its fluffy texture and rich buttery flavor.
It’s perfect for breakfast, served with tea or coffee, or as a snack. Making it involves a few specific steps to ensure that the bread is as fluffy and light as possible.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to make it:
Ingredients:
500 grams (about 4 cups) of bread flour
2 teaspoons of active dry yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup warm milk (not hot)
Additional butter for brushing
Instructions:
- Prepare the yeast mixture:
In a small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar into the warm milk. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy. This step is crucial as it activates the yeast. - Mix dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, the remaining sugar, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution. - Add wet ingredients:
Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients. Pour in the melted butter, beaten egg, and the activated yeast mixture. Mix well until a sticky dough forms. - Knead the dough:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 10 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky but not overly sticky. Add a little more flour if necessary, but be sparing—too much flour can make the bread dense. - First rise:
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, turning it once to coat all sides with oil or butter. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. - Punch down and shape:
Once risen, punch down the dough to release air bubbles. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into two or three equal parts, depending on the size of loaves you prefer.
Shape each part into a loaf by rolling the dough into an oval and folding it into thirds, then tucking the ends under to form a loaf shape. This helps create layers that will puff up during baking. - Second rise:
Place the shaped loaves into greased loaf pans. Cover them again and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until the dough has risen about an inch above the rim of the pans. - Preheat the oven:
About 20 minutes before the second rise is complete, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). - Bake:
Place the loaves in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. - Brush with butter:
Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush with melted butter. This will help soften the crust and add a delightful buttery flavor. - Cool:
Let the bread cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve butter bread warm with a spread of butter or jam. It also pairs beautifully with a savory dish, such as stew or soup.