Julekake (Norwegian Christmas Bread)
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. + rising Bake: 30 min.
YIELD: 2 loaves (12 servings each).
When my husband became a minister for a church in an area populated with Norwegians, my father-in-law was delighted because I had easy access to recipes he enjoyed as a child. This is a traditional Norwegian Christmas bread—also called julekake—but I make it for any holiday we get together. —Deborah Petersen, Princeton, New Jersey
Ingredients
-
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
-
1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
-
1/2 cup sugar
-
1 large egg, room temperature
-
1/4 cup butter, softened
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
-
3-3/4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
-
1/2 cup raisins
-
1/2 cup diced citron or mixed candied fruit
Directions
-
1.
In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, egg, butter, salt, cardamom and 2 cups flour; mix well. Stir in raisins, citron and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
-
2.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to greased top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
-
3.
Punch dough down; divide in half. Shape each portion into a flattened ball. Place in 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
-
4.
Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.
Nutrition Facts
1 piece: 132 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
© 2024 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC