|
Finnish Festive Wreath
This is a traditional, enriched bread delicately scented with saffron and cardamom. In Finland it is called PULLA and is made for festive occasions.
500g strong white flour
2.5ml salt
50g caster sugar
5ml cardamom seeds
10g fresh yeast
200ml warm milk
5ml saffron
2 eggs
75g melted butter
For the glaze: 1 egg yolk mixed with 15ml water
For the topping:
45g flaked almonds
40g sugar
15ml rum/Amaretto/brandy (can be replaced with water)
15ml candied lime (candied orange or dried mango work well)
Warm the milk and add the saffron strands. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, sugar and ground cardamom seeds. Stir together and make a well in the centre. Into this, pour the cooled saffron milk. Now add the eggs and melted butter. Mix into a soft dough then turn out, onto a work surface to knead for 3-5mins. Replace in the bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for 2 hours.
In a separate bowl, mix together the almonds, sugar, rum and peel for the topping.
When the dough has risen to twice its original size, turn out onto a work surface and divide into three. Gently roll each piece of dough into a rope, approx 60cm long. Plait together, then bring the ends together and form a ring. Place onto an oiled baking sheets, cover and leave to rise for 20mins.
Glaze with the beaten egg yolk and water, sprinkle on the topping and bake @ 180ºc for 20mins.
|
