Hard dough bread

Hard dough bread, also called hardo bread, is a Jamaican bread similar to the Pullman loaf or pain de mie, although hard dough bread tends to be sweeter. The dough consists of flour, water, yeast, salt and sugar. Additional ingredients such as treacle, molasses, and vegetable shortening can be used. It typically has a dense consistency and is usually brushed with sugared water before baking. It is a staple food in Jamaican households. Hard dough bread loaves are usually rectangular and can be bought sliced or unsliced. Despite being dense the bread is quite soft, and its exterior is glossy. The bread originated from Chinese indentured labourers or immigrants who brought the recipe to Jamaica. It is said to bear similarities to Chinese mantou, and other sweet breads which they introduced to the island. Their descendants i.e. Chinese Jamaicans are known for operating most of Jamaica's bakeries, which have been baking and selling hard dough bread.

Source: Wikipedia