A homemade Puerto Rican classic with a crisp, golden crust and a soft, tender center.
Pan de agua is a Puerto Rican bread with a crisp, golden crust and a soft, tender inside. This homemade recipe makes two loaves to share at the table, enjoy with a meal, or use for sandwiches.
The dough rises twice before baking, giving you time to shape each loaf and prepare the egg wash. For the best result, let the bread cool completely before storing it.
Ingredients
- 5 cups bread flour
- 2 packets active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons corn or vegetable oil
- 2 cups warm water, divided
- 1 egg white
- 1 tablespoon water, for the egg wash
- Cornmeal, for dusting
How to Make Pan de Agua
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Activate the yeast. In a bowl, combine ½ cup warm water with the yeast and sugar. Let the mixture rest until it is foamy and thick.
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Prepare the shortening mixture. Stir the shortening into the remaining 1½ cups of warm water.
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Make the dough. In a large bowl, combine the bread flour and salt. Add the activated yeast mixture and mix by hand or with a bread machine. Gradually add the shortening mixture until the dough no longer sticks. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand. Add the oil a little at a time as you knead, until the dough is smooth and soft. Shape it into a ball, cover it with a clean linen cloth, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
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Shape the loaves. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Roll each piece out, then shape it into a cylinder. Place the loaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet dusted with cornmeal. Cover them with the linen cloth and let them rise for 30–60 minutes, until doubled.
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Brush and bake. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Make 2–3 shallow cuts in each loaf. Mix the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water and brush it over the tops. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown. Since ovens vary, begin checking around 15 minutes.
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Cool and store. Transfer the loaves to a cooling rack. Let the bread cool completely before storing it in a reusable beeswax bread bag.
Enjoy Your Homemade Bread
Serve pan de agua with butter, alongside your favorite meal, or use it to make sandwiches. The Pizzazzy Purple Shop bread-making kit includes a rolling pin, dough scraper, linen cloth, and reusable beeswax bread bag for cooled bread. Find it at PizzazzyPurpleShop.com.
