Authentic Finnish Pulla Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 0.5 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
• 0.5 cup butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons white sugar

Instructions

1. Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to bubble. Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm.
2. In a large bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Allow the mixture to sit until the yeast softens and develops a creamy foam, approximately 5 minutes.
3. Incorporate lukewarm milk, sugar, 4 beaten eggs, salt, and cardamom into the yeast mixture. Mix in 2 cups of flour until well combined. Add 3 cups of flour and mix until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Add melted butter and mix until the dough is glossy. Gradually add the remaining flour until the dough is stiff.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, cover it with an inverted mixing bowl, and let it rest for 15 minutes.
5. Knead the dough until it is smooth and satiny. Place it in a lightly greased mixing bowl, turning to coat. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Punch down the dough and let it rise again until nearly doubled, about 1 hour.
6. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.
7. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide it into 3 equal portions. Further divide each portion into thirds. Roll each piece into a strip measuring 12 to 16 inches in length. Braid 3 strips together to form each of the 3 large, braided loaves.
8. Carefully transfer the braided loaves onto the prepared baking sheets. Cover them with a kitchen towel and allow them to rise for 20 minutes.
9. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and water. Brush the mixture over the loaves and sprinkle generously with sugar.
10. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops are a deep golden brown, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Monitor closely, as the bottoms of the loaves can burn easily.

Nutrition

• Calories: 178 kcal
• Fat Content: 4 g
• Fiber Content: 1 g
• Sugar Content: 7 g
• Sodium Content: 99 mg
• Protein Content: 5 g
• Cholesterol Content: 34 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 31 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g