How to Make Swedish Braided Cardamom Bread

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil provides a dairy-free option while margarine is often less expensive.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories, while water reduces costs.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey is a natural sweetener, while brown sugar is often more affordable.

eggs

🥗Healthier: flaxseed meal

💰Cheaper: aquafaba

Flaxseed meal is a vegan substitute, and aquafaba is a cost-effective egg replacement.

Combine sugar, salt and butter in a large bowl.

Scald the milk and let cool for 5 minutes. Pour milk over the mixture. Stir until the butter melts and the mixture has cooled slightly. Add the ground cardamom.

In a separate bowl, combine yeast and warm water. Stir to dissolve. Add this to the other bowl of ingredients.

Add the egg and one cup of flour. Mix well until smooth. Add the remaining flour one cup at a time until the dough is supple, but not sticky.

Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes.

Place in an oiled bowl and turn dough to coat all sides. Cover with a dish towel and let rise for one hour or until the dough has doubled.

Punch down and let rest for 10 minutes.

Divide into 6 equal parts. Roll into 6 ropes about 12 inches long. Braid three ropes together to make one loaf. Repeat with the other three ropes to make a second loaf.

Cover with a dish towel and let the loaves rise for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix egg white with 1 tsp of water. Brush the tops of the loaves with this mixture. Sprinkle the loaves liberally with sugar.

Bake for 40-45 minutes. If the bread is browning too much, cover loosely with aluminum foil for the last ten minutes of baking.

Cool the loaves on a wire rack.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens