Swedish Coffee Bread

Name: Swedish Coffee Bread
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 3 loaves.
Ingredients: 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast; 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°); 2 cups warm milk (110° to 115°); 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1-1/4 cups sugar; 4 eggs, lightly beaten; 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cardamom; 1 teaspoon salt; 10 to 11 cups all-purpose flour; TOPPING:; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons cold butter; GLAZE:; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1 egg yolk

One day, I discovered a recipe for these tasty loaves. My wife, Sharon, challenged me to make them. It took a bit of time, but she said they were delicious.—Wade Harmon, Orange, Massachusetts

Ingredients

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2 cups warm milk (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1-1/4 cups sugar
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/4 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon salt
10 to 11 cups all-purpose flour
TOPPING:
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cold butter
GLAZE:
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg yolk

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in milk, butter, sugar, eggs, cardamom and salt; beat until smooth. Gradually add 8 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
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.
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into nine equal portions. Shape each portion into a 14-in. rope. For each loaf, braid three ropes together on a greased baking sheet; pinch ends to seal. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine flour and sugar; cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over braids. Bake at 325° for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Combine glaze ingredients until smooth; brush some over loaves. Bake for 5 minutes. Brush with remaining glaze; bake 5-10 minutes more. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.