Cooking Lesson #388: Swedish Christmas Braided Cardamom Bread

The 2021 Holidays Recipe Collection

How you doin’? It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas and cardamom may be the aroma wafting through many kitchens. Some of you may not be all that familiar with cardamon, but it is well known in the spice world. The flavor is kind of hard to describe… it has an extremely complex flavor, lending itself to both sweet and savory dishes. As the third most expensive spice in the world (only behind saffron and vanilla), cardamom has made quite a name for itself, even earning the nickname The Queen of Spices. Cardamon is a prerequisite for dishes from Indian curries to braided Scandinavian breads—the subject of today’s blog.
 
What is Cardamom you ask? It is a pod spice in the ginger family. You can find cardamon as a whole pod, shelled whole seeds, or ground powder. Although cardamon was originally found in southern India, today Guatemala is the largest producer of this valuable spice.
 
Green Cardamom is the more common variety of cardamom. It is often used in sweeter dishes. Green cardamom's flavor is warm, herbal, citrusy, spicy and even a bit minty all at the same time. Wow that’s impressive for a single for a single spice. 
 
Black Cardamom is a larger, dark brown pod, black cardamom is more commonly used in savory dishes due to its smokier flavor. When you see black cardamom called for in a recipe, it's usually the whole pod that is meant to be used.
 
While many Indian and Indian-inspired dishes call for cardamom, i.e., curry dishes, Kheer (Indian rice pudding) and chai, Indian spice blends such as garam masala also feature cardamom. You'll also find that cardamom adds warmth and depth to baked goods such as cookies, bread pudding, cheesecake and Scandinavian Pulla and Julekaka where it is widely used in baked goods, such as (Swedish Christmas breads).
 
Aside from the exciting flavors and delightful aromas there are health benefits of cardamom. One 2009 study showed that the high levels of antioxidants in cardamom may help lower blood pressure. An earlier study from 2007 found cardamom to have diuretic properties, meaning it can promote urination. It has also been used as a breath freshener and this claim was backed up by a another more recent study that found cardamom to be effective at disrupting bacteria that can lead to gum disease or oral infections. 
 
Swedish Braided Cardamom Bread is a traditional holiday loaf that's a delicious, enriched dough topped with pearl sugar or sesame seeds. Cardamom breads, including pula are a type of morning dessert. It is typically served all year round as a table treat with coffee or tea. In Finland, pulla is typical in caffes where its quality is considered as a sign of the establishment's quality. Pulla can be baked as a small round brioche style loaf or a braided loaf called pullapitko. Also popular is korvapuusti (cinnamon roll). This variant of the sweet, aromatic pastry is sometimes topped with vanilla icing, or almond flakes (or both) and usually requires about three to four hours of preparation—plan accordingly. Cardamom bread is considered a traditional food among Swedish Americans.
 
Prep time:  1 hour 30 minutes
Proof time:  60-90 minutes
Bake time:  30 minutes
Total time:  Allow 4 hours
Yield:  2 braided loaves

Ingredients
2 cups whole milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 envelopes active dry yeast or instant yeast
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 cups all-purpose flour, divided
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
2 large eggs divided
1 tablespoon whole milk
2 tablespoons Scandinavian pearl sugar

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan combine the milk and sugar and whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the butter and heat over medium low, stirring gently, until the butter is melted. Remove from the heat.
3. Allow the milk mixture to cool to the temperature of a warm bath (108⁰F) and stir in the yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes to make sure the yeast is active and alive. You should see bubbles on the surface (don't be alarmed if it's not super foamy), and the mixture should begin grow in volume.
4. When you are certain the yeast is active add the milk mixture and the vanilla to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Add 2 cups of the flour, and the salt, cardamom, and 1 of the eggs. Mix until thoroughly combined.
5. Add 3 more cups of the flour and continue to stir until it is completely incorporated.
6.  Add the remaining 1 cup of flour a little at a time until the dough forms a ball and is no longer sticky when lightly touched with your finger. You might not have to use the whole cup of flour.
7. Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour or so.
8. Punch down the dough, knead by hand for 1 to 2 minutes on a well-floured surface and let rest for 10 minutes.
9. Divide the dough into six equal portions.
10. Roll each portion into a skinny rope about 15 inches long.
11. Line up three dough ropes side by side on the counter in front of you. Pinch one end of the rope together, then gently braid the three ropes into a loaf. When you reach the end, pinch the remaining dough together and neatly tuck it under the loaf.
12. Repeat with the other three dough ropes to make a second loaf.
13. Place each loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet, covered with a damp kitchen towel and let it rise for 30 minutes.
14. Preheat the oven to 375⁰ F.
15. To make an egg wash, in a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of milk together.
16. Brush the top and sides of both braided loaves with the egg wash, then sprinkle each loaf with 1 tablespoon pearl sugar.
17. Bake the loaves until browned on top, about to 25 to 30 minutes depending on your oven.
18. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for 45 minutes before slicing.

ChefSecret:  How so you know when the bread is full baked?  You can use the thump method—tap the bread with your finger and if it sounds hollow it is probably done.  Personally I like to use a temperature probe and when the bread reaches 190⁰ F, it’s time to take it out. 

Quip of the Day: “Two men were talking at the bar… one asks, ‘Does your family say a prayer before you eat dinner?’ The other man replies, ‘Nope, we’re Irish and my wife knows how to cook.”
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Have a wonderful safe and healthy holiday season. If you have a little extra in your pockets to share with others at this difficult time, please consider donating to Feeding America. 

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                                           ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2021

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