The Perfect Timing For Baking Brazilian Cheese Bread

Brazilian cheese bread, or pão de queijo, is a naturally gluten-free snack that is crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. The recipe typically includes tapioca flour, milk, eggs, and cheese. The dough is baked in the oven for around 15-20 minutes at 350-400°F, until the cheese bread is lightly browned and puffed up.

How to make the dough

To make the dough for Brazilian cheese bread, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Milk
• Oil (vegetable, canola, or olive)
• Salt
• Tapioca flour (or tapioca starch)
• Eggs
• Cheese (traditionally queijo Minas, but cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella, or a mix of cheeses will also work)

First, preheat your oven to 400°F. Next, heat the milk, oil, and salt in a saucepan until it begins to simmer. Remove from heat.

Now, it's time to start making the dough! Gradually mix in the tapioca flour until it is fully incorporated, and the mixture has a grainy and gelatinous texture. Transfer the dough to a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and beat the dough at medium speed until it is smooth and cool.

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. With the mixer on, add the eggs to the dough in two steps, making sure the first half is fully incorporated before adding the second. Once the eggs are fully blended, mix in the cheese. The dough will be sticky, stretchy, and soft.

Now, you're ready to shape the dough into balls. Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form the dough into 1-2 inch balls. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 25-28 minutes, or until puffed and starting to color.

If you're short on time, you can also try the quick blender method. Simply preheat your oven to 400°F and add all ingredients except the cheese to a blender. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Then, pulse in the cheese until it is evenly incorporated. Pour the batter into a greased mini muffin tin and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Shaping the dough balls

Firstly, it is important to ensure that your hands are oiled. This will make the process of shaping the dough much easier and prevent the dough from sticking to your hands. You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any other type of oil you have available.

Next, you will need to scoop the dough into portions. The size of each portion will depend on how big you want your cheese bread balls to be. A range of 1 tablespoon to 2 tablespoons is commonly used. You can use a cookie scoop or a spoon to portion out the dough. If you are using a spoon, it is recommended to use a tablespoon or dinner spoon to get the right amount of dough.

Once you have portioned out the dough, you can start shaping it into balls. Use your hands to gently roll the dough into a ball shape. If the dough is sticky, you can dip your hands in water or spray them with cooking spray to prevent the dough from sticking. You can also use an ice cream scoop to portion and shape the dough, which will give you more uniform balls.

After shaping the dough balls, you can place them on a baking sheet. It is recommended to line the baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Leave about 1 inch or 2 inches of space between each dough ball to allow for even baking.

If you want to freeze the dough balls for later, you can place them on a tray and put them in the freezer until they are solid. Once they are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer bag or container for storage.

By following these steps, you will be able to shape the dough balls for Brazilian cheese bread effectively. The shaping process is important to ensure that your cheese bread has a nice round shape and bakes evenly.

Oven temperature

A temperature of 350°F is recommended by some sources for baking Brazilian cheese bread. This lower temperature setting allows for a slower bake, resulting in a crisp exterior and a chewy, gooey, or soft centre. Baking at 350°F for 25 to 28 minutes will yield a golden brown exterior with a slightly underbaked, gooey interior.

However, other sources suggest a higher temperature of 400°F for the oven. This higher temperature will produce a Brazilian cheese bread with a darker exterior and a crispier texture. Baking at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes will give your cheese bread a golden brown exterior and a chewy centre.

It is important to note that the baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your cheese bread. Keep an eye on your Brazilian cheese bread while it bakes, and adjust the time and temperature as needed to achieve your desired level of doneness.

Additionally, if you are baking frozen Brazilian cheese bread, you will need to increase the baking time by a few minutes, regardless of the oven temperature you choose.

Baking time

The baking time for Brazilian cheese bread varies depending on the method used and the desired texture. Here are the baking instructions for two common methods:

Traditional Method:

This method involves mixing the ingredients by hand or using a stand mixer. Here are the general steps for baking:

• Preheat your oven to between 350°F and 400°F.
• Once the dough is prepared, use a cookie scoop or your hands to form it into 1-2 inch balls.
• Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about an inch or two apart.
• Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese bread is puffed and lightly golden.
• For a chewier texture, bake for a shorter time, and for a crispier exterior, bake for a few minutes longer.
• Note that the baking time may vary depending on your oven and the size of your cheese bread balls.

Quick Blender Method:

This method is ideal if you're short on time or prefer a quicker approach. Here are the general steps:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F.
• Prepare the batter by blending the ingredients, except the cheese, in a blender until smooth.
• Pulse in the cheese a few times until it's evenly incorporated.
• Grease a mini muffin tin or use paper liners.
• Pour the batter into the muffin tin, filling each cup almost to the top.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese bread is puffed and golden.
• The shorter baking time is due to the smaller size of the cheese bread when using a mini muffin tin.
• As with the traditional method, adjust the baking time to your desired texture.

Regardless of the method chosen, it's important not to overbake the Brazilian cheese bread. It's normal for the inside to be a bit gooey due to the use of tapioca flour. Additionally, freezing the unbaked dough balls and baking them directly from the freezer is a great option to have fresh, warm cheese bread anytime.

Freezing for later

Freezing your Brazilian cheese bread is a great way to ensure you always have some on hand for a quick snack or unexpected guests. Here is a detailed guide on how to freeze your pão de queijo:

Preparing the Dough:

Before you start shaping the dough into balls, ensure you follow the recipe's instructions to create the perfect dough. It's crucial to let the tapioca flour and milk mixture cool before adding the cheese and egg mixture. This will prevent the cheese from melting and the eggs from cooking.

Shaping the Dough:

Once your dough is ready, it's time to shape it into balls. Oil your hands to prevent the dough from sticking, then scoop about 1-2 tablespoon portions of dough and roll them into balls. The size of the balls can vary, but a consistent size will ensure even baking. You can also use a small ice cream scoop to portion out the dough if you prefer.

Freezing the Dough Balls:

Arrange the shaped dough balls on a baking sheet, placing them side by side. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes to allow the dough balls to set and hold their shape. This step is important to ensure the balls don't lose their shape when stored in a bag.

Storing in the Freezer:

Once the dough balls are set, transfer them to freezer-safe ziplock bags and store them in the freezer. Properly stored, the frozen dough balls can last for up to 3-4 months. This long freezer life means you can always have a stash of Brazilian cheese bread ready to bake whenever the craving strikes!

Baking from Frozen:

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen Brazilian cheese bread, there's no need to thaw the dough balls. Simply preheat your oven to 350°F (around 180°C) and arrange the frozen balls on a baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) of space between them to allow for even baking. Bake the cheese bread until they are golden brown, which will take approximately 40-45 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't over-brown.

Now you know how to freeze and bake your Brazilian cheese bread, you can always have some on hand for a delicious snack or side dish!

Frequently asked questions