Sweet Bread with Milk
on Apr 18, 2022, Updated Apr 30, 2024
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Growing up, 🥣 cereal wasn’t part of my childhood. Instead, my family and I enjoyed ‘Popara,’ or Sweet Bread with Milk, a humble meal known as a poor man’s dish in Bulgaria. Made with bread, milk, and butter, it was our comforting staple, a reminder of resilience in tough times. It turns out, this simple dish is cherished in many cultures, including Italy and Portugal. Would you try it or share if it’s part of your culinary heritage?
This recipe, featuring sweet bread soaked in milk with 🧈 butter and sugar, resembles a lovely bread pudding. It holds deep sentimental value for me, evoking memories of cherished moments with loved ones. As my birthday approaches, it’s bittersweet, marking the first without my grandmothers. Yet, I find solace in the thought of enjoying a bowl of ‘Popara’ with them in spirit. If you’ve lost loved ones who shared this dish, consider having a bowl in their honor.
Why You’ll Love Sweet Bread with Milk
This recipe for Sweet Bread with Milk is the essence of comfort and simplicity, offering a taste of nostalgia and tradition with every bite. With humble ingredients like bread, milk, butter, and sugar, it creates a rich and satisfying treat that’s both easy to make and deeply satisfying. Whether it’s a reminder of cherished childhood memories, a connection to cultural heritage, or simply a delightful indulgence on a cozy evening, this recipe holds a special place in the ❤️ heart and palate of anyone who tries it.
How to Prepare Sweet Bread with Milk
🍞 With a knife, cube your preferred bread (sweet bread or any type you like).
🧈 Place a few thin slices of butter on top of the cubed bread.
🥣 Then add sugar to taste.
🥛 Pour hot milk over the mixture and then immediately enjoy the Sweet Bread with Milk.
Nonna’s Tip 🥖
This is an amazing way to use up panettone or any sweet bread you have left over.
Variations and Substitutions for Sweet Bread with Milk
Feel free to mix and match these variations to create your own unique version of this Sweet Bread with Milk!
- Instead of sweet bread, you can use other types of 🍞 bread such as white bread, whole wheat bread, cinnamon swirl bread, or brioche.
- If you prefer, you can substitute the butter with an alternative such as margarine, 🥥 coconut oil, or a vegan butter.
- Experiment with adding vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices to change the flavor of your Sweet Bread with Milk.
- Consider adding toppings such as fresh fruits (berries, 🍌 sliced bananas), chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds), or shredded coconut.
Similar Recipes
Best Served With
- A fruit salad 🍓
- A side of crispy bacon or some Homemade Breakfast Sausage
- A serving of Greek yogurt
Common Questions
This is an amazing way to use up panettone or any sweet bread you have, but you can use any bread you like, such as white bread, whole wheat bread, or even cinnamon swirl bread.
I have never tried baking this in the oven as we never do but feel free to experiment!
I don’t measure anything, which is why the measurements for this Sweet Bread with Milk are approximate, so please feel free to use as much milk, sugar, or butter as you like.
Yes, you can certainly substitute margarine or a vegan butter alternative for the butter, and almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk for the dairy milk.
Yes, you can certainly add vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices to change the flavor according to your preferences.
Sweet Bread with Milk
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed sweet bread , corn bread or regular bread works as well
- 1 tablespoon butter
- sugar, to taste
- 3 cups hot milk, enough to cover the bread
Instructions
- Cube up some sweet bread or any bread you like and add to a bowl.
- Add a few thin slices of butter on top, a sprinkle of sugar to taste and pour on the hot milk.
- Enjoy right away.
My Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This brought the cozy, comforting vibe. So simple and feels like a hug in a bowl. I’ll definitely be making this again!
OMG. this is incredible. my grandmother gave me this in the 80s, here in Brazil when I was little.
I LOVE this story, Patricia! Thank you for sharing! Nothing like recreating the flavors of your grandmother’s food. 💕😘
Thank you so much for posting this. I adopted my teenage daughter from Bulgaria. She came at age 14. I try to keep making traditional foods for her. I hope she loves this one and it brings back good memories for her.
Leah, this is amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing. I hope she loves it too!