Best 5 Finnish Cardamom Braids Recipes

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In the realm of sweet treats, Finnish cardamom braids, also known as pulla, stand out as a delightful indulgence. These cardamom-infused pastries, with their golden-brown crust and soft, fluffy interior, have captivated taste buds for generations. Originating from Finland, pulla has become a beloved staple in many households, offering a comforting aroma and a burst of flavor with every bite. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, embarking on a culinary journey to discover the best recipe for Finnish cardamom braids promises an enchanting experience.

Let's cook with our recipes!

FINNISH CARDAMOM BREAD (NISU)



Finnish Cardamom Bread (Nisu) image

Serve this rich braided sweet bread with salted butter, fruity jam, and lots of hot coffee. Spiced with cardamom and sprinkled with pearl sugar and almonds, it's a showstopper--just right for a weekend breakfast.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Breakfast & Brunch Recipes     Bread Recipes

Time 3h

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for brushing
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 envelope)
¼ cup warm water (110 degrees)
4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg, plus 1 large yolk
1 cup evaporated milk
2 teaspoons whole milk
Pearl sugar and sliced almonds, for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Brush a large bowl with butter. In a small bowl, combine yeast and water. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cardamom, and salt.
  • In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat granulated sugar with egg on medium-high until pale and fluffy, 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low; add evaporated milk and yeast mixture and beat well. Switch to bread-hook attachment. Add flour mixture; mix until a shaggy dough forms. Continue to mix on medium-low, scraping sides of bowl and removing dough from hook a few times, until soft and pliable, 8 to 10 minutes. Mix in butter, 1 tablespoonat a time, until combined.Continue mixing until onlya sheen of butter slicks bowl.
  • Transfer dough to a clean surface; knead a few times to form into a ball. Transfer to preparedlarge bowl; cover top with plastic wrap. (Dough can be made to this point and refrigerated up to 1 day.) Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 60 to 90 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Punch down dough; divide into 4 equal pieces and cover with a clean towel. Remove one piece; roll into a 1-inch-thick, 18-inch-long rope. Repeat with remaining pieces.
  • To make a 4-rope braid, lay ropes evenly side by side, then pinch at the top to connect. Take rope farthest to the right and cross it over second rope, so it is now the second rope. Take ropefarthest to the left and cross it over third rope, then take second rope and cross it over third.Repeat pattern to create a 12-inch-long loaf. Tuck ends and sides under; transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with a clean towel. Let rise in a warm place until not quite doubled in size, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Whisk yolk and whole milk to combine. Brush loaf with egg wash; sprinkle with pearl sugarand almonds. Bake, rotating once, until evenly golden and a thermometer inserted in center registers between 205 degrees and 210 degrees, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely before slicing. Nisu is best the same day, but can be wrapped in plastic at room temperature up to 1 day.

FINNISH CARDAMOM BRAIDS



Finnish Cardamom Braids image

Every Finn I know often serves Nissua, a sweet bread with cardamom. I believe my mom's recipe beats all others, hands down! Her bread is soft and fluffy while others can be dry . No matter how many Nissua braids she makes for a popular annual craft fair, they're all gone by noon!-Anne Heinonen, Howell, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 loaves (16 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2 cups warm milk (110° to 115°)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 eggs
7 to 8 cups all-purpose flour

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 158 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 23mg cholesterol, Sodium 152mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

CARDAMOM BRAIDS



Cardamom Braids image

This is an old recipe that I like to make for breakfast. Slices are splendid for dunking in a cup of coffee. -Walter Dust, Rapid City, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 loaves (16 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1-1/2 cups warm 2% milk (110° to 115°), divided
1 cup sugar, divided
3 large eggs yolks, room temperature, lightly beaten
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons 2% milk

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm milk. Add 3/4 cup sugar, egg yolks, butter, cardamom, salt, 3 cups of flour and remaining warm milk; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/4 hours. , Punch dough down; divide into 6 pieces. Shape each piece into a 16-in. rope. Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet; braid. Pinch ends firmly and tuck under. Repeat with remaining 3 ropes on another baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Brush braids with milk and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake at 350° until golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 135 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 73mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

FINNISH CARDAMOM BRAIDS (PULLA)



Finnish Cardamom Braids (Pulla) image

This recipe won first place at a fair. My Finnish grandmother said it was some of the best she had ever tasted. Very good. Makes 3 braids.

Provided by tammy74

Categories     Roll and Bun Recipes

Time 4h

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
¼ cup warm water
1 ½ cups lukewarm milk
1 cup white sugar
4 tablespoons margarine, melted
2 large eggs, well beaten
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
5 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 tablespoons brewed coffee, or as needed
2 tablespoons Swedish pearl sugar

Steps:

  • Dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit for a few minutes.
  • Mix milk, 1 cup sugar, melted margarine, eggs, and cardamom together in a bowl until well combined. Add 1 1/2 cups flour and the yeast-water mixture; mix until well combined. Add remaining 3 1/2 cups flour and mix well.
  • Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead until smooth. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  • Divide dough into 9 equal balls; roll each ball into a rope. Braid 3 ropes together; repeat twice more so you have 3 braided loaves.
  • Put braided loaves on a greased cookie sheet. Brush with coffee and sprinkle with pearl sugar. Let rise for about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 216.6 calories, Carbohydrate 40.4 g, Cholesterol 22.3 mg, Fat 3.7 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 44.9 mg, Sugar 13.6 g

CARDAMOM BRAID BREAD



Cardamom Braid Bread image

I came across this recipe in 1983 and have been making it for the holidays ever since. One year I gave away 20 loaves! —Rita Bergman, Olympia, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 loaves (20 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 cups all-purpose flour
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons 2% milk, divided
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup honey
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast, cardamom and salt. In a small saucepan, heat 1-1/2 cups milk, butter and honey to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough (dough will be sticky). , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Divide each portion into thirds. Shape each into a 14-in. rope. Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Brush with remaining milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375° until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 114 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 18mg cholesterol, Sodium 91mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality butter or margarine for the best flavor and texture.
  • Make sure the butter or margarine is cold when you start working with it. This will help prevent the dough from becoming too greasy.
  • Work the dough quickly and efficiently to avoid overworking it. Overworking the dough will make it tough.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will help prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin.
  • If the dough is too sticky to work with, add a little more flour. However, be careful not to add too much flour, as this will make the dough tough.
  • Bake the braids in a preheated oven. This will help ensure that they cook evenly.
  • Let the braids cool slightly before serving. This will help prevent them from falling apart.

Conclusion:

Finnish cardamom braids are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their sweet, cardamom-flavored filling and flaky crust, these braids are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a special breakfast or snack, give Finnish cardamom braids a try. You won't be disappointed!

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