Cookbook:Cardamom Bread

| Bread | Vegetarian Cuisine

Cardamom bread is a sweet yeast bread of Scandinavian origin that is good served at breakfast, with coffee, or as a light dessert.

Procedure

 * 1) In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, salt and orange peel; whisk gently to distribute the ingredients.
 * 2) Split green cardamom pods and remove the seeds inside. With a mortar and pestle, grind the seeds into a powder and add this to the other dry ingredients.
 * 3) In a small bowl, combine yeast, warm water and sugar. Stir gently for a few seconds, then let stand until the yeast is frothy.
 * 4) In a small saucepan on low-to-medium heat, combine butter and milk and bring the mixture to at least 180 F while stirring, then turn off heat to let it cool.
 * 5) In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and set aside.
 * 6) Check that the milk and butter mixture is not hot, then add the it into the dry ingredients and mix.
 * 7) Mix in the beaten eggs.
 * 8) Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.
 * 9) Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl and let rise in a warm place (in the oven, for example) until it doubles in size, about one hour.
 * 10) Knock back the dough, and cut in two parts (one for each loaf).

Braiding

 * 1) For one of the halves, split the dough into three equal sized portions.
 * 2) Roll these into "ropes" about 18 inches (45 cm) long.
 * 3) Pinch one end of each rope together.
 * 4) Braid the ropes together:
 * 5) Take the left rope and cross it over the middle one.
 * 6) Take the right rope and cross it over the middle one.
 * 7) Repeat this procedure until the ropes are fully braided.
 * 8) Pinch the other end of the ropes together.
 * 9) Tuck each pinched end underneath the main loaf.
 * 10) Repeat the rope-making and braiding for the second half of the dough.
 * 11) Put finished braids on a greased cookie sheet.
 * 12) Let rise again until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
 * 13) Prepare the egg wash by beating the 1 egg with a dash of water to thin it.
 * 14) Brush the top of each braid with the egg wash.
 * 15) Sprinkle each braid with pearl sugar and sliced almonds.
 * 16) Bake at 180 °C (350 °Fahrenheit) for 25 minutes.

Notes, tips, and variations

 * Store-bought ground cardamom can be used in this recipe, but has a less intense flavor than freshly-ground cardamom.
 * Orange peel is not traditional in cardamom bread.
 * For a vegan version, substitute soy milk for milk, egg replacer for eggs, and a vegan margarine for butter.