Massa (Sweet Bread)

Ingredients:

      2 pkg  active dry yeast
      1/2 cup warm potato water
      3 tablespoons sugar
      1 cup mashed potatoes
      1/8 teaspoon ginger
      1/2 cup milk
      2 teaspoons salt
      6 eggs
      1 3/4 cups sugar
      1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
      8 to 10 cups flour
 

Dissolve yeast in potato water.  Stir in the 3 tablespoons sugar, potatoes and ginger.  Cover; let rise until doubled. 

Scald milk; add salt and cool to lukewarm. 

In small bowl of electric mixer, beat eggs; gradually beat in the 1 3/4 cups sugar.  Stir into yeast mixture. 

Add butter and mix well.  Stir in 2 cups of the flour, then milk. 

Add 2 more cups of the flour; beat 5 minutes.  Stir in enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough. 

Place on lightly floured board and knead int remaining flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Place in greased
bowl, turning in grease top.  Cover; let rise until doubled.

Grease four 9 X 5 X 3-inch loaf pans.  On a lightly floured board, divide dough into fourths. 

Shape each fourth into a loaf; place in prepared pans.  Cover; let rise until doubled. 

Preheat electric oven to 325 degrees F.  Bake for 45 minutes or until done.

Makes 4 loaves.