Christmas Bread Jule Kaga
Bring the magic of Scandinavian holiday traditions to your kitchen with Christmas Bread Jule Kaga, a festive and aromatic sweet bread bursting with the warmth of ground cardamom, vibrant candied fruits, plump raisins, and crunchy sliced almonds. This tender, golden loaf is enriched with butter and eggs, creating a luxuriously soft texture that’s perfect for holiday breakfasts or teatime indulgence. Hand-kneaded and lovingly baked, Jule Kaga fills your home with the sweet, spiced aromas of the season. With an optional powdered sugar dusting, every slice of this braided Scandinavian Christmas bread doubles as a stunning centerpiece and a heartfelt nod to timeless traditions. Perfect for gifting, sharing with loved ones, or savoring fresh out of the oven, this recipe is a must-have addition to your holiday baking repertoire.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 0.25 cup Butter
- 0.25 cup Granulated sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 0.25 cup Warm water
- 2 Eggs
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Ground cardamom
- 0.5 cup Raisins
- 0.5 cup Mixed candied fruit
- 0.25 cup Sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until warm but not boiling (about 110°F/43°C). Remove from heat and stir in the butter, sugar, and salt until the butter melts. Cool to lukewarm.
In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water (110°F/43°C). Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. If the mixture doesn't foam, the yeast may be inactive, and you should start over with new yeast.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and add the cooled milk mixture and yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
Gradually add 2 cups of flour and the ground cardamom to the liquid mixture. Beat well until smooth.
Stir in the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough is stiff but still slightly sticky.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Gradually knead in the raisins, mixed candied fruit, and almonds until evenly distributed.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning the dough to grease all sides. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round loaf or braid, depending on your preference.
Place the shaped loaves on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with the kitchen towel again and let them rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom. If the tops brown too quickly, tent with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Remove from the oven and transfer the loaves to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optionally, dust the cooled loaves with powdered sugar for a festive finish before serving. Slice and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1805 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 81.1 g | 104% | |
| Saturated Fat | 34.4 g | 172% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 533 mg | 178% | |
| Sodium | 1746 mg | 76% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 251.0 g | 91% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.5 g | 45% | |
| Total Sugars | 208.8 g | ||
| Protein | 33.7 g | 67% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.0 mcg | 25% | |
| Calcium | 554 mg | 43% | |
| Iron | 5.4 mg | 30% | |
| Potassium | 1598 mg | 34% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
