No polar bears, just pulla

So if you are already drooling seeing this pictures and would like to try yourself this delicious Finnish bread, here the magic recipe:

Ingredients /Ainekset (I-neckset) Yes, that’s Finnish ;)

1 tbsp. cardamom seeds
3dl. (1 ½ cups) milk
50grs. (1.8oz) yeast
1,5dl (½ cup) sugar
½ tsp. salt
150grs. (5.3oz) softened butter
1 egg
1.2 L (40 fl oz) white flour


Do like this /Tee näin (te-heh-nine):

1) Crush the cardamom seeds (yes, you can use the seeds already grinded!) and warm them up together with the milk in a small pot until the milk reaches the temperature of 37°C (98F)

2) Dissolve the yeast in a large bowl along with the milk, sugar, salt, soft butter and egg.

3) Add the flour slowly (cup by cup) while you knead the dough (by hand or machine) until is evenly smooth.

4) Let the dough rest under a kitchen towel (and in the warmest place in your house!) until it doubles in size (about 40 mins.)

5) Now set the oven to 200°C (392F)

6) Drop the dough on a well floured surface and separate it in balls or just form a braid with it.

7) Place the balls or braided dough in a buttered oven plate and let it rise once more for about 20 mins.

8) Paint the bread with egg (if you like it shiny and brown quicker!) But you can of course skip this step…

9) Bake the bread in a hot oven for 5 to 10 mins.(if you made balls)…or a bit longer if you made a bigger braided bread (20-25 mins.)…Just check the color of it! …you might test the bread “resistance” by pushing it slightly down with your finger (do not burn yourself!!)

10) Remove bread from oven. Let it cool down and in the meantime, serve yourself a big glass of cold milk, relax and enjoy your Finnish “Pulla” Good Luck! Onnea (Oh-nea)