Pan De Leche

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk, scalded and cooled
• 1 ounce active yeast
• 4 cups white flour
• 1/2 pound butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• EGG WASH:
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 tablespoons sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 375*F.
In a bowl, combine the milk, yeast and 2 cups of the flour and mix into a soft dough. Place in a large greased bowl, cover with a towel and set aside in a warm place. Allow to double in size, about 30-40 minutes. This forms the sponge.
In a mixer, cream the butter, the 1/2 cup of sugar and the salt until well blended. Mix in the 4 eggs and vanilla extract.
When the sponge has risen, add it to the butter and egg mixture and mix well to break it up.
Add the remaining 2 cups of flour. The dough should feel smooth and elastic. Add more flour or milk to achieve this consistency.
Place the dough on a greased cookie sheet. Using a rolling pin, shape and flatten the dough into a rectangle 1 inch thick. Allow to rise again for 30-40 minutes. In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the egg wash.
Just before baking, score the dough lightly with a knife to make a checkerboard pattern of rectangles 1 1/2 inches by 3 inches. Brush the top of the dough with the egg wash.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

Submitted 6/13/05.
Source: Filipino Cuisine
Submitted By: Eileen Werth
crzylegs@erols.com
Pan De Leche