~ Finnish Cardamon Rasins Bread {Pulla} ~

Source: simplystarrviolet.blogspot.ca via C on Pinterest

Finnish Pulla By StarrViolet

Makes 3 loafs

* 2 1/2 Cups (give or take depends of the flour texture)  of milk or water

* 3 eggs

* 1 1/2 Cup Sugar

* 1 Pkgs. Yeast

* 1 Cup Soft Butter or Margarine

* 1 Tsp.Cardamon

* 1/2 Tsp Salt

* 1 1/2 Cups rasins (Optional give or take)

*  About 3-6 Cups of flour

* 1 Beaten egg for basting

*Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup of warm water. Set aside 

* Beat eggs and sugar until frothy, add warm milk or water, Cardamon, Salt, and raisins, stir well.

*Add yeast and flour (gradually) start mixing by hand, then add in soft butter, mix and knead dough till it doesnt stick to your hand this is where you can just keep adding flour till you get it just right.  

* Cover with a tea toweland set aside for 1 hour should rise double

* Flour counter surface and knead again till dough is satiny and glossy in appearance.

* Divide the dough into 3 sections this will be the 3 loafs. then section each of loafs into 3 or 4 more sections, this will be the braids, take the 3 or 4 separated sections and start to roll each one out to make 3 or 4 long stripes the lengths can be from 7-15 inches however long you would like the bread to be.

* Begin to Braid start by pinching the top end then braid, finish by pinching the end of the braid and tucking underneath. 

Place the finished loafs on a baking sheet and cover with a tea towel for 30 to 40 mins

** Preheat oven 325 - 400, I cook this at 325 for 40 mins, but it really depends on your oven if you want to cook it at 400 reduce time to 1/2h.

*Brush with beaten egg, and put in the preheated oven..

* Remove once time is up or golden brown watch the bottoms as well.

*  Baste again with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar you can either add this back in the over to just crisp up the top or leave it to cook and cool the rest of the way on the counter.. I put it back in for about 5-10 mins to crisp the tops.

These can be frozen so you can double the batch if you like but i guarantee at least 3 will be gone right away and you will be getting asked to make more!!