Sweet Bread (Portuguese)

Place yeast in a large bowl. Stir in the warm water (100-110 F). Let mixture stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Scald milk. Add butter and salt and stir until butter melts. Cool to lukewarm. Using electric mixer, beat eggs until frothy. Add sugar and beat until creamy, about 3 minutes. Blend in milk mixture. Stir into yeast mixture. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of flour, one cup at a time.

Dough should be soft and pull away from sides of bowl. Turn dough out onto well-floured surface, sprinkle with 1/2 cup flour and knead until smooth and elastic, adding up to 1/2 cup more flour as necessary to prevent stickiness, about 10 minutes. Grease large bowl. Add dough, turning to coat entire surface. Cover and let rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. Punch dough down. Let rest 10 minutes. Grease one 9-inch round cake pans and place dough in pan..

Cover and let rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 F.  Bake until loaf is golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on bottom, about 30 minutes. Brush top immediately with melted butter. Serve warm.