Soft and Buttery Cardamom Bread (Finnish Pulla)

Name: Soft and Buttery Cardamom Bread (Finnish Pulla)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Finnish
Ingredients: 5 tablespoons whole milk; 5 tablespoons water; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ((16.25 ounces)); 2 teaspoons instant yeast; ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon ground cardamom (preferably freshly ground); ½ cup + 2 tablespoons whole milk (warmed slightly); 1 large egg (lightly beaten); All of the tangzhong (cooled); 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled); 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon water; Pearl sugar; 2 tablespoons melted butter

Finnish pulla is a tender, buttery braided loaf infused with warm cardamom and finished with crunchy pearl sugar. The distinctive spice and soft crumb make it a Nordic coffee-time staple.

🌍Finnish 🌍Nordic 🌍Scandinavian 🏷️Cardamom bread recipe 🏷️Finnish pulla recipe

Soft and Buttery Cardamom Bread (Finnish Pulla)

Total

3h

Servings

12

Difficulty

Expert

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From True-north-kitchen

Ingredients

5 tablespoons whole milk
5 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ((16.25 ounces))
2 teaspoons instant yeast
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cardamom (preferably freshly ground)
½ cup + 2 tablespoons whole milk (warmed slightly)
1 large egg (lightly beaten)
All of the tangzhong (cooled)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
Pearl sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

1
Make the tangzhong: Whisk milk, flour, and water in a small saucepan until smooth. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until a thick paste forms, about 1-2 minutes. Cool until just warm to the touch.
2
Make the dough: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and cardamom together by hand. Add the warm milk, egg, tangzhong and melted butter. Knead on medium low speed 5–6 min until the dough is smooth, elastic and slightly tacky. Cover and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, 1 ½ to 2 hours.
3
Shape the loaf: Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, 16-18 inches long, and gently press the ropes together at the top. Braid the ropes together loosely, pinching and tucking the ends under the loaf to finish. Transfer the braided loaf to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let rise until puffy, 45-60 min. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.
4
Make the egg wash and bake: Whisk egg with water, brush over the loaf and sprinkle with pearl sugar. Bake until set and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Brush with melted butter and cover with a tea towel (a non-terrycloth kitchen towel) for 20 minutes. Uncover and cool completely before slicing and serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Warm the milk to 110°F (43°C) to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
Braid the dough loosely—it will expand during proofing and baking, and a tight braid can split unevenly.
Add pearl sugar just before baking so it stays crispy and doesn't dissolve into the dough.
Test doneness by tapping the bottom; it should sound hollow. Internal temperature should reach 190°F (88°C).

Substitutions

Whole milk → low-fat or 2% milk (flavor slightly less rich)
Ground cardamom → ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon, different spice profile)
Pearl sugar → coarse sugar or crushed rock sugar (less decorative but similar texture)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled pulla in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days, or freeze up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes.

Equipment

stand mixer (optional but recommended for dough) · baking sheet · parchment paper

Common Questions

Can I use ground cardamom instead of freshly ground?

Yes, but freshly ground cardamom has more aromatic intensity. If using pre-ground, use the same amount but understand the flavor will be milder.

What is pearl sugar and where do I find it?

Pearl sugar (also called nib sugar) is coarse, ball-shaped sugar used for topping. Find it in the baking aisle, specialty grocers, or online retailers.