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

Finnish Pulla is a sweet, braided bread that is a beloved staple in Finland. It is often enjoyed as a breakfast treat or as a delightful accompaniment to a cup of coffee or tea. Pulla is a traditional Finnish bread that has a slightly sweet and rich flavor, and it is typically flavored with cardamom, giving it a unique and delightful taste.

The dough for Pulla is made with a mix of flour, sugar, milk, and butter, and it is then braided into a beautiful loaf before being baked to golden...

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups milk
  • ½ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 4 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 9 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Additional Time: 2 hrs 40 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 40 mins
  • Servings: 36
  • Yield: 3 loaves

  • Warm milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Let cool until lukewarm.
  • Stir together warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir lukewarm milk, sugar, 4 beaten eggs, salt, and cardamom into yeast mixture. Beat in 2 cups flour until combined. Add 3 cups flour and beat until dough is smooth and elastic. Add melted butter; beat until glossy. Mix in remaining flour until dough is stiff.
  • Transfer dough to a floured surface, cover with an inverted mixing bowl, and let rest for 15 minutes.
  • Knead dough until smooth and satiny, then place in a lightly greased mixing bowl and turn dough to coat. Cover with a dish towel; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down dough; let rise again until almost doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
  • Turn dough out again onto a floured surface and divide into 3 equal pieces. Divide each piece into thirds. Roll each piece into a 12- to 16-inch strip. Braid 3 strips into a loaf to get 3 large, braided loaves. Lift loaves onto the prepared baking sheets. Cover with a dish towel and let rise for 20 minutes.
  • Beat together 1 egg and water in a small bowl. Brush over loaves and sprinkle with sugar.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Check occasionally because the bottoms of loaves can burn quickly.
  • Nutrition

    178 cal.

    • Total Fat: 4g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 34mg
    • Sodium: 99mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 31g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 7g
    • Protein: 5g
    • Calcium: 25mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 69mg