Julekake
Photo: Julekake
Description

Mm-hmm.. Christmas bread with candied fruits and a yummy cardamom flavor.

Ingredients
  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
  • ½ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 2 cups cold milk
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 8 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1 cup golden raisins
  • ½ cup candied cherries, sliced
  • ½ cup chopped candied citron
  • 1 tablespoon ground cardamom
  • 1 large egg white, beaten
Steps

  1. Dissolve yeast in warm water.

  2. Pour cold milk into a wide, shallow, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until small bubbles appear around the outside of the saucepan.

  3. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in sugar, melted butter, and salt.. let sit until lukewarm, 5 to 10 minutes.

  4. Add yeast mixture, then stir in 4 cups flour. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

  5. Punch down dough. Stir in raisins, cherries, citron, and cardamom. Work in remaining 4 1/2 cups flour until a soft dough forms. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 2 to 3 hours.

  6. Knead dough slightly on a lightly floured surface. Divide into fourths and form into round loaves. Place loaves onto greased cookie sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.

  7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Brush loaves with egg white.

  8. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes.