Photo by Ray Stockwell
Hey there! Have you ever heard of Pan De Agua, or Water Bread? If not, you’re in for a treat. This bread is a beloved staple in Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican cultures. It’s super easy to make and pairs perfectly with your morning coffee or as a simple snack.
What is Pan De Agua? Pan De Agua, literally translated as “bread of water,” is a type of bread that’s popular in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. It can be made as small round rolls or French-inspired loaves. The best part? It’s got a crispy crust and a light, airy center.
One important thing to note is that Pan de Agua starts in a cold oven, not preheated like many breads.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 5 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 2 cups of warm water
- 1 packet of rapid-rising yeast
- 2 bowls
- 1 egg white and 1 tablespoon of water, lightly whisked together
- Cornmeal or flour to dust the pan (cornmeal works better, but flour is fine)
Instructions:
- Mix the flour and salt together and set aside. Tip: Don’t pack the flour into the measuring cup. Spoon it in and level it off. If the dough gets too sticky while kneading, add a bit more flour to your hands and the counter.
- In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, water, and yeast. Let it stand for 20 minutes with a damp towel over the top. The yeast will get foamy, which means it’s good to go. The water should be warm-hot, like a baby’s bottle.
- After 20 minutes, start adding the dry ingredients to the yeast mixture one cup at a time, stirring each time.
- When you have about ¾ cup of flour left, dust the counter with some flour and start kneading the dough. Knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding the rest of the flour mixture as needed.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 2 hours with a damp towel over it.
- Once risen, sprinkle some fresh flour on the counter and dump the dough onto it. Cut the dough in half, form two long loaves, and place them on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal or flour.
- Cut slits across the top of the loaves and brush them with the egg white and water mixture.
- Boil about 1¼ cups of water and place a shallow pan with the boiling water on the bottom rack of the oven. Place the loaves in the middle of the oven.
- Turn the oven to 400°F and bake for 35 minutes. Tip: Check the bread at 30 minutes. If you like the golden color, you can take it out then.
And there you go! You’ve made your own Pan De Agua.
Pan De Agua from Puerto Rico is truly delicious. I hope you enjoy it!