Braided Cardamom Bread (Bread Machine Dough)
Sneak Preview: This delightful Braided Cardamom Bread is a lightly sweet and aromatic yeast bread made with cardamom, a warm and exotic spice. The dough is easily mixed in a bread machine, shaped into a beautiful braid, and baked to golden perfection. Serve thick slices with butter, jam, or lemon curd for a special treat!
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Secret ingredients have a magical attraction for me. I want to be part of the inner circle that knows what it takes to make a recipe memorable and irresistibly tasty.
This recipe for Braided Cardamom Bread (also known as Pulla Bread or Swedish Cardamom Bread) is a sweet and rich yeast bread with a magic ingredient: cardamom!
You may not have that spice in your kitchen now, but after you try this bread, you’ll never be without it again.
Why You’ll Treasure This Recipe
- Effortless Mixing – The bread machine does all the work for you.
- Exotic & Delicious – The unique cardamom spice gives this bread an unforgettable flavor.
- Perfect for Sharing – The beautiful braid makes it a stunning centerpiece.
Happy Bakers Speak Up
“What a perfect bread! It is delicious in every way. The cardamom adds such a unique, warm flavor. It may look complicated, but it isn’t, so I urge you to give it a try and be amazed!” —NANCY N.
What Does Cardamom Bread Taste Like?
This bread is soft and slightly sweet with a warm, citrusy-spiced flavor that pairs beautifully with coffee, tea, or fruit preserves. The sugar topping adds a hint of crunch, making each bite irresistible.
What Is Cardamom Powder?
Cardamom is an aromatic spice from the seeds of the cardamom plant. It has a uniquely warm, citrusy, and slightly floral flavor, making it a prized ingredient in Scandinavian and Middle Eastern baking.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Ingredients & Substitutions
- FLOUR:
- Unbleached all-purpose flour works best.
- YEAST:
- Use instant or bread machine yeast for best results.
- Active dry yeast can be used but may take longer to rise.
- MILK:
- Whole milk adds richness
- Low-fat milk works too. No need to heat it.
- CARDAMOM:
- The star of this recipe! Don’t substitute if you want the true flavor experience.
- SUGAR TOPPING:
- Regular or sanding sugar adds a slight crunch to the crust.
How to Make Braided Cardamom Bread
1. Prepare the Dough
- Add ingredients to your bread machine pan in the order listed.
- Select the DOUGH cycle and start the machine.
- After a few minutes, open the lid to check the consistency. The dough should stick to the sides and then pull away cleanly. Read more about the surprising secret to fixing the dough if it’s too sticky or too dry.
2. Shape the Dough
- When the cycle is complete, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
- Divide into three equal portions and roll each into a 15-inch rope.
- Braid the ropes together and tuck the ends under.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Let It Rise
- Cover with a tea towel and let rise for about 30-45 minutes, or until puffy.
4. Bake to Perfection
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the braid with milk and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. If it browns too quickly, tent with foil.
- Cool on a wire rack before slicing.
FAQs
- How should I store Cardamom Bread?
- For best freshness, store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it well and freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid refrigerating, as it can dry out the bread.
- Can I bake this bread in a bread machine?
- For the best texture, this recipe is designed for mixing in a bread machine but baking in an oven. However, you can bake it in your bread machine on the sweet bread setting, though it won’t have the same beautiful braided appearance.
- Can I make this without a bread machine?
- Yes! Knead the dough by hand or use a stand mixer, then follow the rest of the instructions as written.
- What if I don’t have cardamom?
- You can substitute cinnamon, but it won’t have the same distinct flavor. If you enjoy baking, investing in cardamom is worth it!
Parting thoughts: This is one of my favorite bread recipes on this website. You will love it. If you have leftovers, I recommend slicing this loaf (after a day or two old) and making sweet melba toasts with cinnamon and sugar. They are irresistible and make a great gift.
Need help troubleshooting? Please email me: Paula at saladinajar.com–photos welcome!
Braided Cardamom Bread (Bread Machine Dough)
Video
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (170 g) milk cool
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon table or sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon cardamom
- 1 large (50 g) egg
- ¼ cup (57 g) butter chopped
- 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose unbleached flour
- 2 teaspoons bread machine or instant yeast
Glaze
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- Add 3/4 cup (170 g) milk, 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon (½ teaspoon) table or sea salt, 3/4 teaspoon (¾ teaspoon) cardamom, 1 large (50 g) egg, 1/4 cup (57 g) butter, 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose unbleached flour, and 2 teaspoons bread machine or instant yeast to the bread machine pan in the order given. Select the DOUGH cycle.
- Open the lid after a minute and check to ensure the paddles are engaged and working correctly. The dough should start to clump.
- Recheck your dough again after 15-18 minutes. The dough should stick to the sides, then pull away cleanly. See the video to watch this in action. Note how shiny and elastic the dough is.If you aren’t sure if your dough looks right, read more about this surprising secret that will help you make fabulous bread every time.
Shape the Dough
- When the DOUGH cycle is completed, the dough should be smooth, elastic, and risen to double the original size. Remove the dough from the pan to a lightly floured surface.
- Divide into 3 balls and let the dough relax for about 10 minutes.
- Roll each ball into a long rope approximately 14 inches long. Braid these shapes, pinching ends under, securely. Place the braid on a prepared cookie sheet
Let It Rise
- Set aside to rise again until the braid is not quite double the original size.
Bake to Perfection
- Preheat oven to 375˚F (190˚C).
- Brush 2 tablespoons milk over the braid and carefully sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake at 375˚F (190˚C) for 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, cover with foil for the last 10 minutes to prevent over-browning.
- Cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
2️⃣ Mix on low speed until everything is moistened.
3️⃣ Switch to the dough hook and increase speed to 2 or 3.
4️⃣ Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic (about 5–10 minutes).
5️⃣ Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled.
6️⃣ Gently deflate, shape, and bake as directed. Making by Hand ✋ 1️⃣ In a large bowl, mix ingredients until you have a shaggy dough.
2️⃣ Transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (10–20 minutes, depending on experience).
3️⃣ Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled.
4️⃣ Once risen, gently deflate, shape, and bake as instructed. 💡 Yeast Tip: You can substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast. Dissolving it first is optional. It may start slower but will catch up in the rise.
Equipment
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.