Monday, January 3, 2011

Pulla

Finnish Cardamom Bread (Pulla)
This delicious recipe was given to me by a dear, departed
friend many years ago.
I have not made it too often, but my visiting daughter
loves this recipe and requested that it be made during her stay.
I thought you might enjoy it, too!
It is perfect with a cup of tea or hot chocolate.

Pulla
1 quart milk
2 sticks (1 cup) butter (real butter!)
1 teaspoon crushed cardamom
(I could not find whole cardamom to crush so I substituted 1 tsp. ground cardamom)
6 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons salt
3 pkgs. dry yeast (I use bulk yeast so...6 1/2 teaspoons?)
1/2 cup warm water
14/15 cups flour
~*~
Heat milk, butter and cardamom to just boiling. Cool to lukewarm.
Mix eggs, sugar & salt in separate bowl; set aside.
Combine yeast and warm water to a smooth paste.
After milk has cooled, add egg mixture.
Add 10 cups of the flour to make a thick batter.
Add yeast and continue to add more flour, mixing well.
Knead on a lightly floured surface about 10 minutes.
Place in a lightly greased bowl (butter or coconut oil).
Turn to grease top of dough.
Cover and let rise till double in bulk in a warm place.
Punch down to rise again.
Turn out on lightly floured board.
Cut into 5 even pieces (recipe makes 5 loaves ~ great for freezing or gift giving.)
From each piece, cut and shape 3 stripes approx. 16" long
by rolling dough between palm and board.
Braid, pinching ends together and tucking under.
Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Let rise until puffy but not doubled in size.
Brush with beaten egg; sprinkle with sugar and sliced almonds.
Bake 350* 25-30 minutes
Cool on wire rack.
Makes 5 braided loaves.

8 comments:

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Beautiful bread! I wonder how it would work decreasing the recipe to just one loaf. Trying to not make more than we can promptly eat and also not over stock the freezer.

I love baking bread and would like to try this. Will let you know if I do :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness...this looks delicious :) - yumm!!!

Good to have you back dear friend.

Maria.

dizzijoi said...

Wow, what great timing! I just was craving cardamom something and this is perfect!

Life In a Little House said...

I love your pantry! It is wonderful here!! :) that looks so yummy Enjoy some for me ~Love Heather

Cheri said...

Looks yummy!

Camille said...

Yum...your daughter is one fortunate girl to have you for a mama!!

Sending you hugs my friend!
Camille

Sharon said...

Hello Sweetie :)

It's no wonder we are kindred spirits, I have made this bread for years :) This was my first introduction to Cardamom which I now love :) A beautiful loaf!

~Sharon

Tonya said...

Looks wonderful and sounds great. I will sure have to try this sometime.