Swedish Cardamom Braids

Name: Swedish Cardamom Braids
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices each).
Ingredients: 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast; 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°); 1-1/4 cups warm 2% milk (110° to 115°); 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/3 cup sugar; 3 egg yolks; 2-1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 5 to 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; TOPPING:; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1/4 cup chopped pecans; 2 tablespoons sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. + rising Bake: 20 min. + cooling YIELD: 2 loaves (12 slices each).

"Swedish people love their coffee—especially with this classic coffee cake. The recipe came from my father's aunt, and I can remember my mother crushing cardamom seeds to make it. Back then, you couldn't buy cardamom already ground." —Harriet Meola, Mauldin, South Carolina

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1-1/4 cups warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
2-1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 to 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
TOPPING:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, butter, sugar, egg yolks, cardamom, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in 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 grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down; divide in half. Divide each half into three portions. On a lightly floured surface, shape each portion into a 16-in.-long rope. Place three ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
4. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Brush warm loaves with butter. Combine the pecans, sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over loaves.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 175 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 54mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.