Pulla - Finnish Coffee Bread

~Pulla - Finnish Coffee Bread~

Ingredients:

-250mL milk

-60mL warm water

-5mL white sugar

-8mL yeast

-60mL white sugar

-3mL salt

-3mL ground cardamom

-2 eggs, beaten

-1L all-purpose flour

-60mL margarine or butter, melted

-1 egg, beaten

-15mL course white sugar

Method:

1. Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. 

   Let cool until lukewarm.

2. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and the 5mL sugar. 

   Stir in the lukewarm milk, 60mL sugar, salt, cardamom, eggs, and enough flour to make a sticky batter (approximately 250mL). 

   Add the melted butter or margarine, and stir well. Beat again until the dough looks glossy. Stir in the remaining flour until the dough is slightly sticky.

3. Knead the dough until smooth and satiny. Place in a lightly greased mixing bowl, and turn the dough to grease the top. Cover with a clean dishtowel.

   Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

   Punch down, and let rise again until almost doubled.

4. Turn out again on to a floured surface, and divide into 4 parts (if four unit members). Divide each third into 3 again. Roll each piece a strip. Braid 3 strips into a loaf. Lift the braids onto greased baking sheets.

   Let rise for 20 minutes.

5. Brush each loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.

6. Bake at 400°F or 200°C for 25 to 30 minutes.

   Check occasionally because the bottom burns easily.