1. Recipes

How to Make Finnish Nissua - A Step-by-Step Guide

Finland is known for its rich culinary tradition, and one of the most beloved Finnish foods is Nissua, a sweet and fragrant bread that is traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season. This delectable bread is flavored with cardamom and studded with raisins, giving it a unique and delightful taste. Nissua is a staple at holiday gatherings and celebrations, and its irresistible aroma fills Finnish homes with warmth and happiness.

Despite its association with Christmas, Nissua is en...

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ cup margarine
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 7 ½ cups bread flour
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons milk

Information

  • Prep Time: 40 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Additional Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
  • Servings: 30
  • Yield: 3 to 1 - pound loaves

  • Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Stir in the margarine, sugar and salt until melted. Let cool until lukewarm. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
  • Pour milk mixture into a large bowl. Beat in eggs, 1 1/2 cup flour, cardamom and yeast mixture. Cover and let stand for 20 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly.
  • Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
  • Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into three equal pieces and then divide each piece into thirds. Roll out with your hands until the pieces are long enough to braid. Braid three pieces together to form a loaf; repeat twice to make three loaves. Place on lightly greased baking sheets and let rise for 40 minutes, until nearly doubled. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Move to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • In a small bowl, mix together butter and confectioners' sugar. Stir in vanilla and 2 teaspoons milk to make a spreadable frosting. Spread the frosting over the cooled bread.

    • Nutrition

    216 cal.

    • Total Fat: 5g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 22mg
    • Sodium: 133mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 37g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 12g
    • Protein: 6g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 29mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 78mg

    Categories

    Sweet bread recipes
    Traditional recipes
    Finnish recipes
    Easter recipes
    Baking recipes