Julekake Christmas Bread
Celebrate the holiday season with Julekake, a traditional Norwegian Christmas bread that's as festive as it is delicious. This lightly sweetened bread is infused with the warm, aromatic flavor of ground cardamom and studded with tender raisins and candied citron, making each bite a delightful burst of holiday cheer. Perfectly soft and enriched with milk, butter, and eggs, this golden loaf boasts a tender crumb and a slightly chewy texture. Topped with a delicate powdered sugar glaze, Julekake is a show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday table or a delightful treat with a cup of coffee. Whether served as breakfast, dessert, or an anytime snack, this beautifully spiced bread brings the cozy charm of Scandinavian traditions to your home. Bake this timeless classic, and enjoy the sweet, comforting flavors of Christmas in every slice!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 0.25 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Ground cardamom
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup Candied citron
- 0.5 cup Raisins
- 0.5 cup Powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons Whole milk (for glaze)
Instructions
Warm the milk in a small saucepan over low heat until it is just warm to the touch (about 110°F/43°C). Remove from heat, add the butter, and let it melt completely. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk mixture, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes foamy.
Beat in the eggs until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cardamom, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
Gently knead in the candied citron and raisins, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Punch down the dough and shape it into a round loaf. Place the loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let it rise again for 30-40 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to create a glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3383 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 72.2 g | 93% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.0 g | 185% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 528 mg | 176% | |
| Sodium | 1480 mg | 64% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 618.5 g | 225% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.5 g | 73% | |
| Total Sugars | 229.2 g | ||
| Protein | 76.8 g | 154% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.1 mcg | 25% | |
| Calcium | 552 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 26.7 mg | 148% | |
| Potassium | 1879 mg | 40% | |
*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.
