Best 6 Finnish Coffee Bread Traditional Recipes

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Finnish coffee bread, a delectable treat with an alluring aroma and soft, delectable texture, is a cherished tradition in Finland. Its origins can be traced back to the 1800s when home bakers crafted this delightful pastry using simple yet carefully selected ingredients. Over the years, the recipe has been passed down from generation to generation, capturing the essence of Finnish culinary heritage. Today, this beloved bread remains a centerpiece of Finnish coffee tables, gracing special occasions and everyday gatherings alike. Whether enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee or savored as a standalone treat, Finnish coffee bread is a testament to the country's rich culinary traditions.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

FINNISH COFFEE BREAD (TRADITIONAL)



Finnish Coffee Bread (Traditional) image

Originally this recipe was printed in the Finnish Cookbook but I have been making it every year for Christmas breakfast. Although it is time consuming with three rises this recipe makes three coffee braids, so there is always one for the freezer and to share with friends. Prep time includes approximate rising time.

Provided by ellie_

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 4h30m

Yield 3 coffee braids

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast (original recipe specifies one package but I use 2)
1/2 cup lukewarm water
2 cups milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
8 -12 cardamom pods, seeded and crushed, depending on how strong a cardamom flavor you like (I use 10-12)
5 eggs, beaten, divided (1 egg is used for glaze)
8 -10 cups flour
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, melted
1/4 cup sugar, for glazing braids (or less)

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.

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 PULLA



Finnish Pulla image

A unique bread with a sweet flavor that makes a wonderful holiday gift! It takes about 4 hours to make, so allow yourself plenty of time.

Provided by Kim B.

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes

Time 3h20m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups milk
½ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
4 eggs, beaten
9 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons white sugar

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 178 calories, Carbohydrate 30.9 g, Cholesterol 33.7 mg, Fat 3.8 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 4.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 98.8 mg, Sugar 7 g

FINNISH NISSUA



Finnish Nissua image

Nissua is a tender Finnish sweet bread made with cardamom. This bread is formed into braided loaves or wreaths, and topped with a simple frosting.

Provided by Judy

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes     White Bread Recipes

Time 3h20m

Yield 30

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups milk
½ cup margarine
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
½ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
7 ½ cups bread flour
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons milk

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215.6 calories, Carbohydrate 36.6 g, Cholesterol 21.9 mg, Fat 5.2 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 5.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 132.7 mg, Sugar 11.5 g

FINNISH COFFEE BREAD (BREADMAKER RECIPE)



Finnish Coffee Bread (Breadmaker Recipe) image

Finnish Coffee Bread for a 2 lb. breadmaker on dough setting, but can also be made in a 1 1/2 lb breadmaker. Prep time includes rising time. Recipe adapted from recipe printed on genealogia.org)

Provided by ellie_

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 2h30m

Yield 2 loafs

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/4 cups warm milk
2 eggs, divided (beaten)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
6 -8 whole crushed cardamom
1 1/2 teaspoons yeast

Steps:

  • Put all the ingredients in the bread machine on the dough setting, in the order specified for your machine.
  • When the dough cycle completes, remove, divide in half and then split each part into 3 equal pieces.
  • Roll into long strands (18" long), and braid strands into 2 loaves.
  • Put loaves on greased cookie sheets.
  • Let rise until doubled in size (30 minutes). Brush with second egg and sprinkle with sugar.
  • Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Immediately after taking them out of the oven, remove from pans. Cool on racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1385.3, Fat 24.7, SaturatedFat 12.7, Cholesterol 263.4, Sodium 523.7, Carbohydrate 249.4, Fiber 7.4, Sugar 51, Protein 38.4

MAMA'S FINNISH COFFEE BREAD



Mama's Finnish Coffee Bread image

mama never bought bread. she baked bread 3 times a week until she paissed away at the age of 96. this was her famous coffee bread recipe.she handed it down to me. i treasure it as i treasured her. i buy the already shelled cardamom seeds (not ground) and whisk them through a coffee bean grinder to crush them up. great sliced, toasted and buttered.

Provided by tina rose

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 4h30m

Yield 6 loaves, 36 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups milk
1/2 lb butter
2 1/2 cups white sugar
6 beaten eggs
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon cardamom seed, crushed
5 lbs unbleached flour
3 (1/4 ounce) packages yeast, 3-4 pkg, in
1/2 cup warm water, with
1 pinch sugar
1 egg, with
sugar, small amount, for glaze

Steps:

  • dissolve yeast in warm -not too hot- water with a small amount of sugar to feed the yeast. in a large pot,heat milk and butter until boiling. remove from heat and cool until lukewarm. beat eggs and sugar together. add salt, cardamom, flour and yeast mixture. kmead well on a floured surface. cover and let rise til double. separate dough into halves and then separate each half into 3 loaves.(6 loaves total) separate each loaf into 3 sections. roll each section between your hands into long tubular shapes. braid the 3 sections together and tuck ends. put loaves on a greased cookie sheet. let rise double again. bake at 325 for 15 minutes. remove from oven. brush top of loaves with a beaten egg mixed with a little sugar. sprinkle sugar over egg glaze. return to oven for 15 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370.5, Fat 7.9, SaturatedFat 4.3, Cholesterol 58.5, Sodium 194.5, Carbohydrate 65.5, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 14.1, Protein 9.2

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the bread will be. Use fresh, high-quality butter, eggs, and flour.
  • Proof the yeast correctly: This is essential for ensuring that the bread rises properly. Proof the yeast in a warm place for the recommended amount of time.
  • Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough develops the gluten, which gives the bread its structure. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place: This will help the dough to double in size. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.
  • Bake the bread in a preheated oven: This will help to ensure that the bread bakes evenly.
  • Let the bread cool completely before slicing: This will help to prevent the bread from crumbling.

Conclusion:

Finnish coffee bread is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own taste. With its simple ingredients and classic flavor, Finnish coffee bread is a surefire hit.

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