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Pulla - Finnish Easter Bread

Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 c milk, scalded
  • 7 g active dry yeast 2 ¼ tsp, or 1 packet
  • 170 g honey ½ c
  • 6 g kosher salt 1 tsp
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 4 eggs
  • 1050-1175 g AP flour about 9 cups
  • 113 g unsalted butter, melted ½ c
  • 1 egg, beaten

Icing

  • 28 g butter 2 Tbsp
  • 300 g powdered sugar 2½ c
  • 2-4 Tbsp milk
  • ½ tsp almond extract

Instructions

Bread

  • Scald the milk and allow to cool to lukewarm.
  • Place about 375 g (3 cups) of flour in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the salt, yeast, and cardamom. Mix slightly. Pour in the milk, honey, and melted butter. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time.
  • Begin to add the remaining flour, one cup at a time, changing to the dough hook when the dough is too thick for the paddle. Once a stiff dough is formed, remove the hook, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap for 15 minutes.
  • Knead the dough (with the mixer or on the counter) until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, turning once to cover, and allow to rise for about an hour. Punch down, and allow to rise again for another 30 minutes.
  • Punch down again, and divide the dough into three equal pieces. Form each into a long log, then braid together. Transfer to a parchment-paper lined baking sheet, mist with cooking spray, and allow to rise another 20 minutes.
  • While bread is on its last rise, preheat the oven to 400 F.
  • Brush the top of the bread liberally with beaten egg, and bake for 25-30 minutes. Finished bread will be glossy and golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Icing

  • Melt the butter. If using unsalted butter, add a small pinch of kosher salt. Stir in about a cup of the powdered sugar. Add the almond extract, and 1 Tbsp of milk. Stir well.
  • Continue alternating powdered sugar and milk until all the sugar is incorporated and icing is drizzling consistency. Add the milk in very small amounts, as the icing can get too thin very easily.
  • Drizzle over bread and add sprinkles if desired.