Sweet Yeasted Bread (Vetebröd) Recipe

By Kari Diehl

Updated 03/27/18

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Ratings (20)
  • Total: 2 hrs 40 mins
  • Prep: 2 hrs 15 mins
  • Cook: 25 mins
  • Yield: 2 braided loaves (16 servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
259 Calories
20g Fat
19g Carbs
3g Protein
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Lightly spiced and far less sweet than most store-bought coffee breads, Swedish Vetebröd serves as a satisfying snack to pair with your favorite brand of coffee.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cups butter (melted)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. cardamom (freshly ground from about 25 cardamom pods)
  • 2 pkg./4 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast
  • 9 cups flour (all-purpose, or bread flour)
  • 1 egg (plus 2 tbsp. water, lightly beaten together into an egg wash)
  • pearl sugar (or crushed sugar cubes) and / or chopped or slivered almonds

Steps to Make It

  1. Prepare your basic cardamom bread dough using the first 7 ingredients listed above (this takes about 1 1/2 hours).

  2. After punching down dough following its first rise, remove from bowl and knead lightly on a floured counter until smooth and shiny. Divide dough into two halves.

  3. Divide each half of the dough into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a long, thin “snake” (about 18 inches long). Braid three of the “snakes” together, folding and pinching outer edges under to form a loaf shape. Repeat for the second set of three dough “snakes.” (Alternative: Do not divide dough into 2 halves, but separate entire mass into three equal portions. Roll the three portions into “snakes,” braid together, then join and pinch ends together to form a single braided bread wreath).

  4. Place the two braided loaves (or the single braided wreath) on a greased baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375º.

  5. When loaves (or wreath) have doubled, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with pearl sugar and/or almonds. Place in the middle of a preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until done.