Description

A traditional Cuban bread recipe with a soft, fluffy interior and crisp golden crust — perfect for sandwiches, toasting, or serving alongside soups. This simple, lard-enriched bread rises overnight for deep flavor and a perfect crumb.

Ingredients

Scale

Starter (Overnight):

½ cup warm water (100–110°F)
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon active dry yeast

Dough:

1 packet active dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
¾ cup warm water (100–110°F)
3 tablespoons lard (or vegetable shortening)
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 teaspoon neutral oil (for greasing)
1 tablespoon cornmeal (for dusting pans)

Instructions

Prepare Starter (Night Before):
Mix warm water, flour, and yeast in a small bowl until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8–12 hours.
Activate Yeast:
In a large bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let sit 10–15 minutes until frothy.
Mix Dough:
Stir in lard, salt, and 1 cup of flour. Add the starter and continue mixing. Gradually add more flour until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead Dough:
Turn onto a floured surface. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky.
First Rise:
Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until doubled, about 1½ to 2 hours.
Shape Loaves:
Line baking sheets with parchment and cornmeal. Divide dough in half and shape into 12-inch logs. Flatten slightly, dust with flour, cover, and let rise again for 1–2 hours.
Bake:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Score loaves and mist with water. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding.
Cool:
Transfer to wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

Notes

To enhance crustiness, mist with water before and during early baking.

For a richer flavor, opt for lard over shortening.

Bread can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: ~150 kcal
Sugar: ~1g
Sodium: ~290mg
Fat: ~4g
Carbohydrates: ~23g
Fiber: ~1g
Protein: ~3g
Cholesterol: ~2mg

Keywords: cuban bread recipe, homemade bread, easy cuban bread, sandwich bread