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Finnish Coffee Bread

Source of Recipe


>^..^<






List of Ingredients



• 2 cups milk
  
• 1 pkg. yeast (active dry or compressed)
  
• 1/4 cup water (warm for dry yeast, lukewarm for compressed)
  
• 3/4 cup sugar
  
• 2 beaten eggs
  
• 2 tsp crushed cardamom
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 cup melted butter
  
• 3 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 beaten egg
  
• 3 Tbsp each chopped almonds and coarsely crushed lump sugar (optional)
  






Instructions



1. Scald milk; cool to lukewarm.
   
   
2. In a large mixing bowl, sprinkle or crumble yeast in 1/4 cup warm water; stir to dissolve. Stir in the lukewarm milk, sugar, 2 beaten eggs, cardamom, and salt. Sift flour before measuring. Gradually stir the 5 cups of flour into the mixture in the bowl; beat with a spoon until dough is smooth. Add melted butter; stir until blended. Add 3 to 4 cups more flour, mixing to make a stiff dough.
   
   
3. Turn dough out onto lightly floured board and knead until dough is smooth and satiny. Place in greased bowl; cover and allow to rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down and allow to rise again until almost doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes.
   
   
4. Turn dough onto lightly floured board; divide into 3 portions (each to be formed into a braid loaf). For each loaf, divide dough portion into 3 parts; roll each between hands to form a strand about 14 inches long. Place 3 strands on board; braid. Repeat to make 2 more braided loaves. Lift braids onto greased baking sheets; allow to rise in a warm place for about 20 minutes (not until doubled).
   
   
5. Gently brush tops of loaves with 1 beaten egg. If you wish, sprinkle the top of each loaf with about 1 tablespoon each chopped almonds and crushed sugar. Bake in a 425-degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown (do not overbake).
   
   Cool on a wire rack.
   
   Makes 3 loaves.