The Christmas Cookie exchange -- Finnish Pulla

Busy weekend, I haven't had time to post any new artwork.  Getting good photos of canvas is harder than it looks!  We went to an awesome cookie exchange today, and a lot of people were asking for the recipe for some Finnish pastries that we brought.  I'll post it here, happy baking!

Cardamon Buns (Pulla)

50g cake yeast = 1 packet dry yeast

150 g butter =1 and a half sticks

5 dl milk =2 cups

half tsp salt

1 dl sugar = quarter cup

2 tsp fresh ground cardamom

about 1 and a half liters flour = 6 cups

Melt butter and warm milk (98 F).  Add yeast and stir.  Add salt, sugar and cardamom.  Stir in flour until dough pulls away from bowl.  Let rise covered in a warm place until about double (30-40 minutes).  Knead in rest of flour.  Divide dough (64 small pieces, divide in half, in half again, in half again …) Shape each piece into a rope and tie in a knot.  Let rise again, covered (about 20 minutes).  Brush with egg and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 450F for 5-10 minutes (Do not overbake).

The sugar I use to sprinkle on top is pearl sugar, looks a lot like pretzel salt, and is available in the food section at Ikea.  http://www.dansugar.com/default.aspx?ID=273&ProductPage=1&ProductID=7644&GroupID=503

This recipe is adapted from the book Parhaat Leivonnaiset, OTAVA 1993 ISBN 951-1-1804-8, my absolute favorite baking book!

After posting this, I realized that I have many more cooking posts like this one.  I'm starting another blog for all of them, http://cookingfinland.blogspot.com  It will be interesting for people interested in the cuisine of Finland, or just cooking and baking in general.