Finnish Pulla Bread - Cardamom Sweet Bread
This delicious sweet bread with warm cardamom is so versatile, it can be shaped in a variety of ways, Braids, Twist Rolls or Pull-A-Part Loaves...Nauttia! (Enjoy)
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. butter
- 2 c. milk
- 2 pkg. active dry yeast dissolved in 1/2 c. warm water (110 degrees)
- 3 lg. eggs
- 1 c. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cardamom
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 6-7 c. all-purpose flour see note below
- Butter and cinnamon sugar for Pull-A-Parts and Twists
- 1 lg. egg white for brushing
- Pearl sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Melt a 1/2 cup butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add milk, heat until warm. Remove from heat, set aside.
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the 3 eggs and sugar until well combined.
- Add the warmed butter and milk, dissolved yeast, cardamom, and salt, beat until combined. Slowly add flour, beat well after each addition. Knead the dough until smooth and glossy, either in your stand mixer or by hand on a well floured surface.
- Cover and set in a warm place to rise, until dough has doubled in size.
- Turn dough onto a well floured surface. Make into desired shapes. (Braids, Small Twist Rolls, or Pull-A-Parts). For the Twist Rolls and Pull-A-Parts, I roll out half the dough, spread with butter and sprinkle with washed raw cane sugar and cinnamon and then shape.
- Place pullas on a greased baking sheet or pan. Allow to rise again, about 20-30 minutes. Beat one egg white and brush over tops of the pullas, then sprinkle with pearl sugar, if desired.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until nicely browned. Frost with Buttercream or Cream Cheese Frosting, if desired.
- Cook's Note: If making caramel rolls, reduce the sugar to a 1/2 cup.
Notes
Cook's Note: I use white unbleached bread flour and 1 cup stone ground wheat flour.
Sandra Lee Nabozny says
My mother used to make Pulla-especially at the holidays. I remember that it was a lot of work, with the kneading and then the rising time in between. I don’t think I have the stamina to make this much-loved bread. My daughter has attempted to make it several times, especially when my dad was alive, Oh- how her grandfather enjoyed the taste and memory of this beloved bread that my mom would make with such skill. My daughter became frustrated that it didn’t always turn out the way she would have liked it to. I loved her effort and was always pleased with the finished product. Now with food being shipped via of the internet, I was hoping there was someplace that I could send away for it to be delivered. It would be such a delight from our past. Thank you very much and wondering if you had any information about getting it delivered to my home. I would appreciate any input you have..
Cooking Mamas says
Hi Sandra, Thanks for sharing your your wonderful memories. I believe Gold Belly, Etsy, and Scandinvian Goods all sell and deliver Pulla Bread. Merry Christmas!