Pan Cubano
Submitted by 4paws2go on February 04, 2013 at 8:55 pm

DESCRIPTION
Cuban-style Bread

SUMMARY
Yield 2 loaves Source Modern Baking site/amended File under Yeast Breads

INGREDIENTS
This is an amended version of a formula, from the Modern Baking site. Their formula calls for a mix of both a bread flour, and a high gluten flour...I've been successful using just KAF bread flour, but also want to try the original.

Bread flour .5#
High gluten flour .5#
Yeast 2 1/4 tsp instant
Salt 2 tsp
Malt powder 1 tsp
Lard 1/4 cup, at room temperature
Water 10.4 oz, cool

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine flour/flours, yeast, malt powder,lard, and salt in mixer bowl. Add water, and mix on slow speed for about 1 minute, using the paddle blade. Dough will be shaggy looking.

Switch to dough hook, speed two, and mix 7 to 8 minutes. Dough should be soft.

Bulk ferment for 1 hour, degas dough, fold, and ferment for another hour.

Divide dough into two, form as for a baguette. Cuban breads are baguette shaped, but a little wider. Proof formed loaves for about an hour, do not overproof. To make the traditional 'split', on the top of the loaf, either some soaked kitchen twine strands, or, if you've access to them, clean, soaked palmetto fronds are placed on top of the loaf, and it is then inverted, while proofing. If not, the top can be scored with a blade. In a bakery, they're proofed in a couche, then flipped over, for baking. I proofed, upside down on lightly floured parchment, with the frond, and didn't find it hard to use the parchment to flip right side up, onto the baking sheet. The frond is baked with the bread, also the string...the moisture causes the crust to split.

Preheat oven to 450F, and steam for a short period, just a few seconds, then immediately turn the temp down to 350F. Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes.

Cuban bread has an extremely light/thin crust, crisp, but much lighter than French bread. It should be an all over pale gold, when done. I prop oven the oven door, for the last 5 minutes or so, just to make certain any excess moisture is vented.

Enjoy! Make Cuban sandwiches!