I too have had a heck of a problem making authentic Cuban bread. I'm from Miami Fla. and I've tried every trick in the book, but it always comes out tasting like Italian bread.

I found this recipe, and the one thing different is that one of the ingredients is lard. I'm posting the recipe here, but I haven't tried it. If you try it, let us know how it turned out?

PAN CUBANO
Makes 6 sandwich loaves

4 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
4 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/4 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
3 tablespoons fresh lard, cut into small pieces
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) water

MANUAL METHOD:
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir till the dough starts to leave the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased surface, oil your hands, and knead it for 6 to 8 minutes, or until it begins to become smooth and supple. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl or dough-rising bucket, cover the bowl or bucket, and allow the dough to rise till puffy though not necessarily doubled in bulk, about 1 hour, depending on the warmth of your kitchen. Gently fold the dough in upon itself and turn it upside-down after 30 minutes; this "turn" helps eliminate some of the excess carbon dioxide and redistributes the yeast's food, both imperative for optimum yeast growth.

MIXER METHOD:
Combine the ingredients as directed at left, using a flat beater paddle or beaters, then switch to the dough hook(s) and knead for 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl or dough-rising bucket, cover the bowl or bucket, and allow the dough to rise, with a turn, as directed above.

BREAD MACHINE METHOD:
Place all of the ingredients into the pan of your machine, program the machine for Manual or Dough, and press Start. Examine the dough about 10 minutes before the end of the final kneading cycle, and adjust its consistency with additional water or flour as needed, to produce a smooth, supple dough. Allow the machine to complete its cycle.

TO SHAPE AND BAKE THE LOAVES:
Divide the dough into six pieces, and shape each piece into a rough log. Let the logs rest for 15 minutes, covered.

Shape each piece into a smooth batard shape (a log about 8 inches long, slightly tapered at each end). Sprinkle a baking sheet with cornmeal, and place the loaves on the baking sheet. Let the loaves rise, covered, for 1 hour.

Brush or spray them with water, and slash one long lengthwise slit down the middle of each loaf.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F while the loaves are rising.

Transfer the loaves from the cornmeal-sprinkled pan to your oven stone (if you have one), or leave them on the pan and place them in the preheated oven (if baked on a sheet pan, the loaves will be slightly less puffy).

Bake the bread for 16 to 18 minutes, or until it's golden brown. Remove it from the oven, and cool it on a wire rack.

The loaves may be made one day in advance and stored at room temperature, or several weeks in advance and frozen.

Because it makes so many, I suppose you could freeze the extra loaves, or share them with friends?