Finnish Nissua Recipes

FINNISH NISSUA

Steps:

• Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Stir in the margarine, sugar and salt until melted. Let cool until lukewarm. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• Pour milk mixture into a large bowl. Beat in eggs, 1 1/2 cup flour, cardamom and yeast mixture. Cover and let stand for 20 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly.
• Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into three equal pieces and then divide each piece into thirds. Roll out with your hands until the pieces are long enough to braid. Braid three pieces together to form a loaf; repeat twice to make three loaves. Place on lightly greased baking sheets and let rise for 40 minutes, until nearly doubled. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Move to a wire rack to cool completely.
• In a small bowl, mix together butter and confectioners' sugar. Stir in vanilla and 2 teaspoons milk to make a spreadable frosting. Spread the frosting over the cooled bread.

FINNISH CARDAMOM BRAIDS

Steps:

• In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, sugar, butter, salt, cardamom, eggs and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in 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 dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Divide each half into thirds. Shape each piece into a 13-in. rope. Place three ropes on a greased baking sheet. Braid ropes; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

FINNISH NISU - SWEET BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
• Stir in the milk, sugar, salt, cardamon, eggs and enough flour to make a batter (approx. 2 cups).
• Beat until dough is smooth and elastic.
• Add about 3 cups of flour and beat well.
• Dough should be smooth and glossy in appearance.
• Add remaining flour 1 cup at a time until dough is stiff.
• Add the butter; beat until dough looks glossy again.
• Turn out onto floured board, cover with inverted bowl.
• Let rest for 15 minutes.
• Knead until smooth and satiny.
• Place in lightly greased bowl, turn dough to grease top, cover lightly and let rise in warm place- until doubled in size.
• Punch down; let rise again.
• Turn out onton a lightly floured board, divide into 3 parts, and divide each part into 3.
• Shape each piece of dough into a strip 16 inches long by rolling between palms and board.
• Braid 3 strips together into a straight loaf and pinch ends together and tuck under.
• Repeat for second and third loafs.
• Place on lightly greased baking sheets.
• Let rise until puffy (1/2 to 1 hour).
• Glaze loaves with a mixture of beaten egg and milk.
• Sprinkle with sugar and sliced almonds.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
• Do not overbake- or bread will be dry.

NISU BREAD (FINNISH SWEET BREAD) -(ABM)

Steps:

• Place in bread machine in order given.
• Set machine for light setting.
• Serve with butter and jam.
• Enjoy with coffee.