Serves a Crowd

Finnish Cardamom Bread

January 31, 2011
0
0 Ratings
  • Makes 3 small loaves
Author Notes

In search of the breads once baked in my grandmother's kitchen, I've been experimenting with several diffferent breads. I found some old notes for a Finnish braided bread scented with cardamom, I added a few extra egg yolks and dried currants to form this variation. Cardamom is a common spice for Finns and greater Scandinavia. —midnitechef

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • For the bread
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 1/3 cups whole milk
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dry active yeast
  • 1/3 cup warm water
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 5 cups bread flour
  • 2/3 cup dried currants
  • For the icing
  • 2/3 cup confectioner's sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
  1. In a small bowl combine the yeast and water, let stand for 10 minutes until frothy.
  2. Meanwhile, warm the milk over low heat until it is steaming. Remove from the heat and add the butter, sugar and salt and stir until dissolved.
  3. Pour the milk mixture into a large bowl and beat in the eggs, yolks, 1 1/2 cups of the flour, cardamom and finally the yeast. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
  4. Stir in the flour gradually, beating well to incorporate the flour. Add the currants after the first addition of flour. Knead for 8 minutes then coat with oil to rise for an hour or until doubled in bulk.
  5. Punch down the dough to release the gases and divide into three equal parts. Start with the first third of the dough, lightly roll into a rope then cut into three. Braid the three pieces and place on a baking sheet. Repeat to the other two lumps of dough. Let the braided loaves rest and rise for 45 minutes.
  6. Pre-heat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and bake for 30 minutes.
  7. Mix the icing sugar and vanilla until well combined to form a sweet sauce. Drizzle over cooled loaves.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • midnitechef
    midnitechef
  • TheWimpyVegetarian
    TheWimpyVegetarian
  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames
  • mlcooks
    mlcooks

7 Reviews

midnitechef October 4, 2011
I made four loves (sans currants) for a charity bake sale last weekend and they were the first item to sell out!
 
mlcooks February 13, 2011
This recipe looks similar to my Finnish aunt's Nisua recipe. It is so yummy when toasted and spread with butter. I'm going to try it, thanks for the recipe!
 
midnitechef February 14, 2011
Hi mlcooks! I'd be interested in more Finnish recipes if you have any. My Grandparents were from Finland :-)
 
TheWimpyVegetarian January 31, 2011
This looks just delicious! I'm trying this one for sure!!
 
midnitechef February 3, 2011
Thanks for leaving a comment, ChezSuzanne! I've seen several of your recipes here and would like to try them out. Stay Warm!
 
AntoniaJames January 31, 2011
Just lovely. I've saved this and plan to make it. ;o)
 
midnitechef January 31, 2011
Hope you enjoy it! I sent one loaf to my neighbour during the holidays, I was surprised how much bread came from this recipe. Check out my blog for more recipes :) http://midnitechef.wordpress.com