Norwegian Christmas Bread

Ingredients

• 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk 1/2 cup (120ml) warm milk
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/2 cup (75g) raisins 1/2 cup (75g) raisins
• 1/4 cup (40g) candied citrus peel (optional) 1/4 cup (40g) candied citrus peel (optional)
• Slivered almonds for topping (optional) Slivered almonds for topping (optional)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 9g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 15g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
3. 3.
   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and knead in the raisins and candied citrus peel, if using.
7. 7.
   Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. 8.
   Cover the loaf with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
9. 9.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
10. 10.
    If desired, brush the top of the loaf with an egg wash and sprinkle slivered almonds on top.
11. 11.
    Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Raisins — Soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes before adding them to the dough. This will help them plump up and prevent them from drying out during baking.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced citrus flavor, you can add a bit of orange extract along with the orange zest.
• If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can increase the amount of sugar to your liking.
• Serve the Norwegian Christmas Bread warm with a dollop of butter or cream cheese for an extra indulgent treat.
• This bread freezes well, so you can make it ahead of time and thaw it when needed.
• Feel free to customize the bread by adding other dried fruits or nuts of your choice.

Serving advice

Slice the Norwegian Christmas Bread and serve it as a delightful accompaniment to a cup of hot coffee or tea. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat during the holiday season.

Presentation advice

To enhance the festive appeal, dust the top of the bread with powdered sugar before serving. You can also place a sprig of fresh rosemary or a few cranberries on top for a touch of elegance.