![Braided Cardamom Bread (Pulla)](https://www.saveur.com/uploads/2019/03/18/BZ4HUWEHPNZ7LAIBHVBHJ5NB4Y.jpg?auto=webp&auto=webp&optimize=high&quality=70&width=1440)
Spiced with cardamom and sprinkled with sugar and almonds, this rich yeasted bread is a showstopper. In Finland it's traditionally eaten with coffee or tea; we think it makes a perfect addition to a weekend breakfast. Note: See how to braid Pulla in the gallery, below.
Ingredients
- 1 1⁄3 cups milk, heated to 115°
- 2⁄3 cup sugar
- 4 tsp. ground cardamom
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 6 1⁄2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 5 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp. heavy cream
- 2 (1/4-oz) packages active dry yeast
- 1 egg yolk
- Crushed lump sugar, for garnish (optional)
- Sliced almonds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
How to Braid Pulla
1. Arrange the three ropes of dough side by side, perpendicular to you, and pinch the ends farthest from you together.
How to Braid Pulla
2. Slide the left-hand rope and middle rope away from the right-hand rope at a 45-degree angle.
How to Braid Pulla
3. Pick up the left-most rope and cross it over the middle rope, laying it down next to the right-hand rope.
How to Braid Pulla
4. Pick up the right-hand rope, cross it over what is now the middle rope, and lay it down next to the inside of what is now the left-hand rope.
How to Braid Pulla
5. Repeat with the new outside left-hand rope, taking the outside rope of each new parallel pair and crossing it over the new middle rope to create a braid.
How to Braid Pulla
6. Continue braiding in this fashion, making sure to keep even tension in the dough throughout the process to avoid creating sections that are either too tight or too loose, as these may misshape the loaf.
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