FINLAND
Coffee
Bread Ring
(Pulla)
Preparation
time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 1-l/2 + 1-1/2 hours
Baking
time: about 30 minutes
Oven
temperature: 400 degrees F (200 degrees C)
Suitable
for freezing
2 eggs
2/3 cup (2
dl) sugar
2 cups (1/2
l) milk
1-1/2 oz
(50 g) yeast
3 tsp salt
1
tablespoon crushed cardamom
1/2 lb (250
g) butter or margarine or
3/4 cup (2 dl) cooking oil
about 2-1/4
lb (1 kg) white flour
1/3 cup (1
dl) raisins
Egg yolk
for glazing
Almonds for
decorating
1. Get the
ingredients for the dough ready in the kitchen the previous evening. If they
are cold the dough will take too long to rise.
2. Heat the
milk to hand temperature.
3. Beat up
the eggs and sugar, add the milk, yeast, salt and cardamom. If oil is to be
used, add it at this stage.
4. Add
enough of the flour to give a thick, elastic mixture. Beat it vigorously to get
air into the dough. This will enhance the glutination of the flour and make the
dough rise well.
5. Mix in
the rest of the flour and finally the butter or margarine. Knead the dough
until it separates completely from your hands and sides of the bowl. Add the
raisins just before shaping the ring.
6. If you
make the dough with an electric dough mixer, follow closely the instructions
for preparing dough.
7. Cover
the dough with a cloth and leave to rise in a warm place. When the dough has
doubled in bulk, place on a lightly floured surface and knead well. Add the
raisins.
8. Form the
ring by braiding together three or four strands of dough. If you think it is too
difficult to make a ring like this, form into two or three separate curved
sections and place on a baking tray.