Finnish Pulla

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk, warmed
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1 tbsp whole green cardamom pods, seeds removed and crushed
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten, for wash
• Pearl sugar or coarse sugar, for topping

Before you cook

• Warm the milk until lukewarm, not hot.
• Crack the cardamom pods, remove the seeds, and grind them fresh in a mortar.

Steps

1. Stir the yeast and a pinch of the sugar into the warm milk and let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
2. Whisk in the remaining sugar, the 2 eggs, melted butter, ground cardamom, and salt.
3. Add the flour a cup at a time, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
4. Turn the dough out and knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
6. Punch the dough down and divide it into two equal portions.
7. Divide each portion into three pieces and roll each into a 15-inch rope.
8. Lay three ropes side by side and braid them together, pinching the ends to seal.
9. Repeat with the second set of ropes to form a second loaf.
10. Place both loaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes until puffy.
11. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
12. Brush the loaves with the beaten egg and sprinkle generously with pearl sugar.
13. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until deep golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped.
14. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.