Cuca De Banana Com Doce De Leite
Brazilian cuisine is a melting pot of European, African, and indigenous influences, resulting in a rich and diverse culinary scene. Among the many mouthwatering dishes that Brazil has to offer is the Cuca de Banana com Doce de Leite, a sweet and indulgent dessert that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings.
What is Cuca?
Cuca is a traditional Brazilian dessert that originated in the southern region of the country. It is a sweet bread that is typically filled with any number of ingredients, from fruits like bananas or apples, to nuts, chocolate, or cream. Cuca is often topped with a crumbly streusel made from flour, butter, and sugar.
What is Doce de Leite?
Doce de Leite is a popular Latin American dessert that translates to "sweet milk" in English. It is made by cooking sweetened condensed milk over low heat until it thickens and caramelizes, resulting in a rich and creamy caramel-like spread. Doce de Leite is commonly used as a topping or filling for desserts, including Cuca.
The Recipe
The Cuca de Banana com Doce de Leite recipe is straightforward but requires some time and patience to prepare.
Ingredients:
- For the dough:
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 cup of warm milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- For the filling:
- 4 ripe bananas, sliced
- 1 can of Doce de Leite (14 oz)
- For the streusel:
- 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of cold butter, cut into small pieces
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, eggs, and vegetable oil.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest for 1 hour in a warm place until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Roll out the dough into a rectangular shape and place it in a greased baking dish.
- Spread the Doce de Leite over the dough and lay the sliced bananas on top.
- To make the streusel, combine the flour, sugar, and butter in a bowl. Use your fingers to mix until it forms a crumbly texture.
- Sprinkle the streusel on top of the banana and Doce de Leite layer.
- Bake the Cuca for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Conclusion
Cuca de Banana com Doce de Leite is a delicious and indulgent dessert that showcases the best of Brazilian flavors. With its soft and fluffy bread, caramelized Doce de Leite, and ripe bananas, this dessert is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings. Whether you are in Brazil or the United States, give this recipe a try and enjoy a taste of Brazil in your own home.