Pulla -Finnish Sweet Bread

This is my first time and it was fantastic.  My mom said she had this growing up and makes it at Christmas for gifts for the neighbour. Great toasted with jam.

Ingredients and Directions

Step One

In a bowl, mix together the following ingredients:
11/2 Cup lukewarm water
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp yeast
And let it sit for around 10 minutes.

Step Two

Add to the mixture:
1 1/2 Cup (scalded the cooled) milk
1 C sugar
4 eggs, beaten
1 tsp cardamon
1/2 C water
1/2 C butter (melted)
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 C flour
3/4 tsp raisins (optional)

Beat all the ingredients together with a whisk until smooth.

Step Three 

Add more flour: 
3 1/2 flour

I used the bread maker at various stages to help mix it up and it was easy.

The directions are to knead it for 3 minutes and then let it rest for one.  Repeat and knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until the dough becomes soft and satiny. Cover with a damp cloth and let it sit in a warm place for an hour.

Punch down and cut it into three equal pieces. Then cut the three pieces in to three again.  Roll our each piece into long strips about 10 inches long and braid the three together.  You will have three fairly large loafs.

Cover and let it it rise for 30 minutes.

Beat one egg and brush each loaf. Bake at 385 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes.

Variation-add almond slivers on top.

French Bread

We made this in a bread maker and then baked it in the oven.

1.5 C warm water (70 degrees F)
2 tsp yeast
3.5 C white flour
1 tsp salt
1 Tlb sugar



Put on dough cycle. Remove after dough cycle and cover and let rise for 45 minutes. Shape and then cut diagonal cuts on top of loaf for decorations, let rise for additional 40 minutes, brush with one beaten egg and and bake 350 F degrees for 35-40 minutes.

Pumpernickel bread .......made in Bread Maker

I got this recipe from my brother.  Great dense rye bread!
You need a bread maker to knead.

Add ingredients in the order they are into the bread maker.

1 1/2 cup luke warm water
3 Tlb powder milk
2 Tlb shortening
2 Tlb honey
2 Tlb molasses
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 1/3 cup white flour
2/3 cup rye flour
2 Tlb cocoa
2 tsp instant coffee
1 1/4 tsp yeast

We like to use the dough cycle and then bake in the oven.

Grease pan, form bread and place on pan.  Cover with clean cloth and let it rise for 20 plus minutes.

You can brush with butter or egg for the glossy look or keep it matte.

Bake at 350 F for 20 - 30 minutes.

The way to tell if it is done, is to knock on the bottom and if it sounds hollow, it is done.  Yummy!

Easy to Make Bagels with a bread maker

I got this recipe from my brother and the first time I tried they turned out perfect! See below.  Now I did not have a bread maker -when all my family used one.  Now I wonder how I did without!

Ingredients

1cup warm water (around 70 degrees F)
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 Tlb sugar
3 c flour (can be 50-50 white and brown or just white)
2 1/2 tsp yeast

Types of Bagels
Topping-ie poppy seeds, onion flakes and toasted sesame seeds
Fillings -this you can add to the dough-cinnamon and raisins, cheese, and blueberries

Using a bread maker, add the ingredients in the order that they are listed.  If you are adding one of the fillings add now also.  Set bread maker to dough mode.  Shape bagels with your hands, cover and let rise for 10 minutes.

Put in boiling water for one minute-30 seconds each side. Roll in whatever type of bagel you would like to make.  We made poppy seed and onion flake bagels which were both fabulous!

Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.



Yummy fresh homemade bagels.  What more could you ask for. Serve anyway you want with just butter, warm with cream cheese, lox and cream cheese or use as sandwhich.


Did you notice  NO FAT!

New variety sun dried tomatoes, olives and rosemary. I used stevia instead of sugar as well.
The rosemary was very good in bagels.