User's avatarJoey B

Cardamom Bread

This is a hand-me-down recipe that takes a while to rise. But I absolutely love the flavor & aroma of the Cardamom

Time3 hours with full raising
YieldMakes 3 braided loaves
Recipe of Cardamom Bread by Joey B

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 tsp active yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp cardamom
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • dash of salt
  • 8 cups of flour
  • 1/2 cup melted butter

Steps

  1. Scald the milk. This is the trickiest step. It needs to be enough to deactivate the whey proteins for the yeast. But it is also very easy to burn. Tend it well and just to the point that it starts to skim on the surface. Cool well.
  2. Next, deal with the yeast component and sprinkle over the warm water and add in sugar to form a paste.
  3. Making sure milk has cooled, beat in eggs, sugar, salt and cardamom. If milk is too hot it will curdle the eggs.
  4. Start with flour in a mound in a bowl with a pool in the center. Add the yeast to the pool and gradually start to swirl it into the walls of flour. Continue by stirring in the milk/egg mixture, gradually consuming almost the entire reserve of flour along the outside. The resulting dough should be smooth and creamy.
  5. Let it stand a few minutes. Then add in the melted butter along the edge of the ball to use any remaining flour.
  6. Knead dough for a good 10 minutes to activate the gluten. Do not skimp.
  7. Have patience with the rising steps. Start with a warm greased bowl and let it rise until doubled. Punch it down once and let it rise again. This will likely take almost 2 full hours!
  8. Divide the dough into 9 single rope lengths. Braid it 3 to a loaf and it will yield 3 full loaves. Place the loaf on a greased sheet and let it rise another 45 minutes.
  9. Brush with an egg white/water wash before baking. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes until golden brown. Cool well before slicing with a serrated knife.