Finnish Christmas Bread Recipes

FINNISH BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add whole wheat flour, 2 tablespoons of butter, brown sugar, salt and 2 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch the dough down. Shape into two 6-in. rounds; place on a greased baking sheet. Cut slashes in top with a knife. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes. , Bake at 400° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with remaining butter.

FINNISH CHRISTMAS BREAD

Steps:

• Sprinkle yeast on the warm water, let stand for a few minutes; stir to blend.
• Stir in milk, sugar, salt, cardmon, eggs, and 2 cups of the flour; beat until smooth.
• Add 3 more cups of flour; beat until smooth.
• Stir in melted butter.
• Add enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough which can be handled.
• Cover and let rest 15 minutes.
• Turn out on a floured board;knead until smooth and elastic.
• Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover with a damp towel.
• Let rise in a warm place until double in bulk - about 1 hour.
• Punch down.
• Cover and let rise again until almost doubled - about 1/2 hour.
• Turn out onto floured board and punch down again.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Divide into 3 equal parts to make 3 coffee cakes. Place coffee cakes on greased and floured cookie sheet to rise. IMPORTANT! after shaping breads, let rise about 20 minutes UNTIL PUFFY, NOT DOUBLED!
• Bake at 375 degrees F. for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

FINNISH PULLA

Steps:

• Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Let cool until lukewarm.
• Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Stir in the lukewarm milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, 4 eggs, and enough flour to make a batter (approximately 2 cups). Beat until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add about 3 cups of the flour and beat well; the dough should be smooth and glossy in appearance. Add the melted butter or margarine, and stir well. Beat again until the dough looks glossy. Stir in the remaining flour until the dough is stiff.
• Turn out of bowl onto a floured surface, cover with an inverted mixing bowl, and let rest for 15 minutes. Knead the dough until smooth and satiny. Place in a lightly greased mixing bowl, and turn the dough to grease the top. Cover with a clean dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down, and let rise again until almost doubled.
• Turn out again on to a floured surface, and divide into 3 parts. Divide each third into 3 again. Roll each piece into a 12 to 16 inch strip. Braid 3 strips into a loaf. You should get 3 large braided loaves. Lift the braids onto greased baking sheets. Let rise for 20 minutes.
• Brush each loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Check occasionally because the bottom burns easily.

FINNISH COFFEE BREAD (TRADITIONAL)

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl.
• Stir in milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, 4 eggs, and 2 cups of flour.
• Stir until dough is smooth.
• Add 3 cups of flour and stir well.
• Stir in melted butter or margarine.
• Stir in 2-3 cups more flour or until you have a stiff dough.
• Turn dough out onto a floured bread board and cover with inverted bowl.
• Let rest for 15 minutes.
• Knead dough until smooth and satiny (8-10 minutes).
• Place dough in large lightly greased bowl, turning to grease top.
• Cover with plastic wrap and/or towel.
• Let dough rise in a warm place until doubled (1-2 hours).
• Punch dough down.
• Let dough rise again until almost double (30 minutes- 1 hour).
• Turn out onto floured board.
• Divide dough into thirds, working with only one third at a time.
• Divide (one- third of dough) into three parts.
• With your hands roll each part into one 18"strand.
• Braid the three stands together to form one braid, tucking ends under.
• Place on lightly greased cookie sheet.
• Let rise 20-30 minutes until puffy.
• Repeat with other two parts (each one-third of original dough).
• You will have three braids when finished.
• Brush braids with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake in 400°F oven for 20-30 minutes or until braids are light brown.