Scandinavian Fruit Bread Julekage
Delight your taste buds with Scandinavian Fruit Bread, also known as Julekage, a festive and flavorful treat perfect for the holiday season or any special occasion. This traditional Nordic bread is beautifully spiced with aromatic ground cardamom and studded with a medley of dried fruits like raisins, cherries, and candied orange peel, making every bite a burst of sweetness and warmth. The soft, enriched dough is crafted with whole milk, butter, and eggs, then baked to golden perfection and optionally glazed with a luscious icing sugar drizzle, complete with a sprinkling of sliced almonds for a finishing touch. Whether served as a breakfast indulgence or a cozy afternoon snack, this delightful fruit-studded loaf is sure to bring a dash of Scandinavian charm to your table. Perfectly soft, slightly sweet, and irresistibly fragrant, this Julekage recipe is a must-try for bread enthusiasts and holiday bakers alike!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Whole milk
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 0.33 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Ground cardamom
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 3.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup Raisins
- 0.5 cup Dried cherries or cranberries
- 0.25 cup Candied citron or orange peel
- 0.5 cup Icing sugar (optional, for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons Milk (optional, for glaze)
- 0.25 cup Sliced almonds (optional for garnish)
Instructions
In a small saucepan, warm the milk over low heat until it reaches around 100-110°F (warm but not boiling). Remove from heat and stir in the butter until melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm milk mixture. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Stir in the granulated sugar, eggs, ground cardamom, and salt, mixing well to combine.
Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Once risen, punch down the dough and gently knead in the raisins, dried cherries or cranberries, and candied citron or orange peel until evenly distributed.
Shape the dough into a round or oblong loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise again for 30-40 minutes, or until slightly puffed.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
Optional: If desired, prepare a glaze by mixing icing sugar with milk until smooth. Brush or drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread and sprinkle with sliced almonds for garnish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
462 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 10.5 g | 13% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.0 g | 25% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 65 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 160 mg | 7% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 83.0 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 37.5 g | ||
| Protein | 9.9 g | 20% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.8 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 76 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 241 mg | 5% | |
*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.
