Searching for something tasty for your holiday breakfast? Look no further. Below is my grandmother’s recipe for an old family favorite, Swedish Cardamon Bread.

That’s right, nothing deep about this post. Just something warm, sweet, and delicious to bite into. Toast it, top it with butter or, better yet, peanut butter, and you’ve got the perfect holiday treat.

That said… in my family, you’re either born Swedish or you marry into being Swedish. You may have English, French, German, or African roots, but when the holidays arrive—you’re Swedish. So, it is with great pride I share this Swedish recipe passed down by a lovely woman with not a drop of Swedish blood in her. (But who was lucky enough to marry a Swede.)

Break out the flour,

Let rise the dough,

It’s time to start baking,

HO, HO, HO!

Swedish Cardamom Bread

• 
  
• 1 3/4 cups milk – scalded (heat on high for approx. 2 min. in microwave.)
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup very warm water (105º to 115º)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 egg yolks (keep whites for later)
• 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 7 cups flour

For those of you not used to working with yeast, check out this website: www.foodsubs.com/LeavenYeast.html before you begin. 

For Regular Yeast.

Mix yeast with ¼ cup very warm water (105º to 115º) and a tablespoon of the sugar. Let sit for 4 to 5 minutes.

In mixer or food processor, add 3 cups of the flour, sugar, cardamom, and salt. Mix well.

Add yeast misture and mix.

Add the scalded milk, melted butter, and egg yolks and mix.

Add remaining 4 cups of flour. Mix thoroughly.

For Quick Rise Yeast.

In mixer or food processor, add 3 cups of the flour, sugar, cardamom, salt and quick rise yeast. Mix, then add ¼ cup very warm water (105º to 115º).

Add the scalded milk, melted butter, and egg yolks and mix.

Add remaining 4 cups of flour. Mix thoroughly.

THEN

Shape into ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover tightly and let rise in warm place for at least 1 hour. (I cover with plastic wrap, lid and then 2 towels draped over lid)

After dough has risen

Split dough into 3 pieces*. Roll each piece into a rectangle; divide into three pieces and braid. Push braided dough together so it forms a firm loaf. Spray cookie sheets with Pam, place loaves on cookie sheets, cover with a towel and let rise for 1/2 hour.

 

Brush loaves with egg whites and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating pans 1/2 way through.

(*I like to give Cardamom bread for gifts. When I do this, I split the batch into 6 loaves instead of 3. When making 6 smaller loaves, bake for 20 minutes, rotating pans 1/2 way through.)