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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Grandma Olson's Cardamom Braid

Cardamom Braid by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 021_zps6cf5e4a6.jpg

Grandma Olson's Cardamom Braid

Grandma Olson is actually my husband's great grandmother - she was Sweden born but moved to Michigan's U.P. (Upper Peninsula) in her 20's & married another "Swede" there.  My mother-in-law spent her high school years living with this Swedish Grandmother - she remembers "Cardamom Bread" being a regular treat!

This recipe is actually my mother-in-law's recipe (which I then tweaked to work in a bread machine) - she says that it tastes just as she remembers.  The original recipe was one of those "by sight" recipes - never written down .....or if it was written down then cousin Joanie has it and won't share (I'm just kidding - cousin Joanie doesn't have a computer so I'm not being fair - please forgive my teasing).

If you recall a few weeks ago we talked about the spice Cardamom - click HERE if you missed that post.


Grandma Olson by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo scan0032_zpsb15954c0.jpg
Grandma Olson


1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter (melted & cooled to lukewarm)
1 1/2 tablespoon dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees)
1 egg (beaten)
3 to 3 1/2 cups flour (bread flour is best)
1/3 cup sugar (plus extra for the top)
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter then add 1 teaspoon instead)

In your bread machine pour the liquid ingredients into the bread pan first (the milk, cooled melted butter, water & egg).  Then add the flour on top of the liquid ingredients (I start with 3 cups of flour - later if the dough is too sticky - then I will add 1/4 more at a time) (you will also need a little extra flour when you form the braids).  Now make a well in the flour & add the sugar & then make another little well in the sugar to add the yeast.  Add the cardamom & salt around the outer edge of the flour (see the picture below) (this is necessary for optimum yeast activation - If you are not using a bread machine then you will need to "proof" the yeast first  - click HERE to view "Proofing Yeast for Bread Making" )

Set your bread machine on the "dough" operation & stick around until it is mixed to see if you need to add a little more flour (as mentioned above) - you might need to touch the dough midway through the mixing stage  - Grandma Olson used to say that the dough should feel like a baby's bottom (so I'm told - I never met her & I also never had children so this doesn't really  help me but all of you mom's out there should know what this means).
Cardamom Braid by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 008_zpsa1343589.jpg

Once the dough phase has finished on your bread machine - remove the dough & "punch" it down & allow to rest for about 5 minutes.

Cardamom Braid by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 012-4_zps0370bc2d.jpg

Divide the dough into 3 equal parts & on a lightly floured surface roll each part with your hands into a strand or thick rope (see picture above)

Cardamom Braid by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 014_zpsd1c09923.jpg

After rolling all 3 pieces - secure or pinch all 3 strands together at the top & then begin braiding - continue braiding until you don't have any strand left (pinch the bottom strands together) (see picture above & below).

Cardamom Braid by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 015_zps194be1c5.jpg

Place the braided bread on a parchment lined cookie sheet and in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes or until almost doubled in size (see picture below)

Cardamom Braid by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 020-1_zps489a968d.jpg

Sprinkle granulated sugar on top (about 1/8 cup) and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until desired doneness is achieved.

Cardamom Braid by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 023_zpsd1dc1bd0.jpg

Remove from oven, allow to cool, slice & ENJOY!!

Cardamom Braid by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 024_zpse2d1c723.jpg


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See the features at #FoodFriday 23 for Anniversary Recipes from the previous linkup for Bread Recipes. #LinkUp #LinkParty #BlogParty


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6 comments:

  1. I can almost smell it! Love the photo of Gradma Olson, I have some like that of my grandma Daisy, I must look them out. I hope you had a lovely Easter.

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  2. I'll bet the kitchen smells amazing while this is in the oven. Thanks for sharing your grandma's recipe.

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  3. I remember your post about Cardamom! Thank you for sharing the recipe now at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party :-)

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  4. Thanks so much for linking up at #FoodFriday 22 for Bread Recipes. Shared.

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  5. CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at #FoodFriday 23 for Anniversary Recipes from the previous linkup for Bread Recipes.

    ReplyDelete

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