Ingredients: |
Ingredients: 2 packages active dry yeast ¾ c. warm water 1 can (13 oz.) undiluted evaporated milk, heated to 110 degrees Fahrenheit ½ to 1 c. sugar 2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. or more crushed cardamom seeds 4 eggs, beaten ½ c. softened butter 8 to 9 c. all-purpose flour egg mixed with milk for glaze pearl sugar, sliced almonds or plain sugar for decoration
|
Directions: |
Directions:Preheat the oven to 400º. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water, stir in the milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, eggs, and enough flour to make a batter (about 2 cups). Beat until dough is smooth and elastic. Add about 3 cups of the flour and the beat well. Dough should be smooth and glossy in appearance. Add remaining flour 1 cup at a time until dough is stiff. Add the butter; beat until dough looks glossy again. Turn out onto floured board, cover with inverted mixing bowl. Let rest for 15 minutes. Knead until smooth and satiny. Place in a lightly greased bowl, turn dough to grease top, cover lightly and let rise in a warm place (about 85 degrees Fahrenheit) until doubled. Punch down; let rise again. Turn out onto lightly floured board, divide into three 3 parts, and divide each part into three. Shape each piece of dough into a strip 16 inches by rolling between palms and board. Braid three strips together into a straight loaf and pinch ends together and tuck under. Repeat for second and third loaves. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Let rise until puffy (1/2 hour to 1 hour). Glaze loaves with a mixture of beaten egg and milk. Sprinkle with pearl sugar, crushed loaf sugar and/or sliced almonds. Bake at 400º for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overbake or loaves will be dry. Makes 3 loaves. |
Personal
Notes: |
Personal
Notes: This is the popular bread that is baked weekly in many Finnish-American homes. It is a sweet white bread, flavored with cardamom, braided, and baked either on a cookie sheet or in bread pans. Sometimes the dough is shaped into cinnamon rolls or other types of coffeecakes. The popular korppu or dry toast is made by slicing this bread and rebaking the slices until they are crisp. The word Nisu comes from the old Swedish-Finnish word for wheat.
|