finding time for cooking

for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

  • Recipes By Type
    • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Goodies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes & Veggies
    • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
    • Snacks
    • Full Recipe Index
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
    • Best Cocktail Gifts: For the At-Home Bartender or Mixologist
  • Whatcha Need??
    • Foods I’m Obsessed With
    • 30 Minutes or Less…for the Time-Challenged Cook
    • What Bread To Make (Based on Your Time)
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Super Healthy
    • Cooking for One
    • Soup
    • Unleavened Bread Recipes
  • About Me & More
    • Get In Touch!
    • How-Tos
    • Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With
    • Food and Travel—Two of My Favorite Things
    • Bunion Surgery Recovery Tips
    • Tips for Liver Detox / Gut Health Protocol

Swedish Vanilla Cardamom Bread

February 3, 2019

Ever since spending a few days in Sweden sailing the Gothenburg archipelago and devouring fresh smoked herring and cardamom-laced pastries the entire time, I’ve been meaning to try my hand at Swedish baking myself.  This recipe initially came to me as a simple Swedish vanilla bread, but to me that was leaving out the most iconic flavor of Swedish baking, ground cardamom.

So I did us all a favor and made it Swedish vanilla cardamom bread 🙂

Swedish Vanilla Cardamom Bread | finding time for cooking blog

So I’ve been playing around with this recipe for a while, both in tweaking the flavors, but also in getting the texture to turn out correctly.  The original recipe had way too much flour, which resulted in a much drier dough than I liked, and overall it’s taken some trial and error to perfect.  But the time was worth it, and this recipe results in a lovely simple subtly-spiced bread.  It’s not really sweet at all, just a nice snack at any point in the day.

Swedish Vanilla Cardamom Bread | finding time for cooking blog

Place the milk, butter (I cut it into pieces for faster melting), cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla paste into a medium saucepan and bring up to just under a boil—a strong simmer.  Turn off the heat and keep stirring as it as it cools a bit (otherwise the butter will form a skin on top).  Set aside to infuse (and cool) for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once the milk is cooled, place the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer (yeast and salt on opposite sides), fitted with the dough hook.  Give it a quick stir, then add about half of the cooled milk mixture while the machine is on.  Then add the 2 beaten egg yolks as well—make sure the milk isn’t still too hot or you’ll get scrambled eggs!

Continue mixing on a low-to-medium speed and add the rest of the milk mixture.  Increase the speed a little and mix/knead until the dough comes together and looks smooth.  You can decide if you should add up to an extra 50 grams of flour or not, but a sticky dough is what you’re after, you definitely don’t want it too dry.

Cover the dough with plastic wrap (tightly), and set aside for an hour, or until doubled in size.  Once it’s risen, lightly flour a surface and knock the dough back with your knuckles (it removes the air), giving it a knead for just a minute.

Split the dough into three even pieces, and roll them into long ropes.  Braid them together into a loaf, tucking the ends under, and then place it on a lined baking sheet.

Set aside for 45 minutes to prove again, covered with plastic again (you don’t want a draft getting in or it will form a skin on the dough).  Once it’s risen again, preheat the oven to 425F/220C.

Brush the loaf with your beaten egg mixture, and place into the hot oven for 10 minutes.  Then reduce the temperature to 400F/200C and bake for another 25-35 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the base.  You can use a thermometer to check the middle…it should be around or over 200 F inside.

Swedish Vanilla Cardamom Bread | This warm and comforting bread isn't very sweet, but transports you to cozy Sweden with its cinnamon and cardamom flavors. Super easy to make, a great snack!

DEVOUR.

You might also like:

  • Cinnamon-Walnut Stuffed Challah
  • Easy Awesome Challah Bread
  • Crusty French Baguettes in 30 Minutes
  • Norwegian Skillingsboller (Cinnamon Buns)
  • Heavenly Dark Chocolate Orange Babka

Swedish Vanilla Cardamom Bread

Note, I do recommend going to weight measurements, and that’s how I’ve tested it out and they’re must more precise; but I’ve left the cup measures in case you don’t have a scale

  • 1 cup (250ml) of milk (at least 2%)
  • 4 tablespoons (50g) of unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste (or extract if you don’t have paste); I use this one from Amazon
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • ~3 1/2 cups (400g) of all-purpose flour
  • Heaping 1/2 tablespoon of dried yeast
  • 2 egg yolks, beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 + 1/8 cup (75g) of granulated or caster sugar
  • 1 whole egg, beaten for glazing
  1. Place the milk, butter (I cut it into pieces for faster melting), cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla paste into a medium saucepan and bring up to just under a boil—a strong simmer.
  2. Turn off the heat and keep stirring as it as it cools a bit (otherwise the butter will form a skin on top).  Set aside to infuse (and cool) for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Meanwhile, place the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook.  Give it a quick stir.
  4. Add about half of the cooled milk mixture while the machine is on, then the 2 beaten egg yolks as well.  Make sure the milk isn’t still too hot or you’ll get scrambled eggs!
  5. Continue mixing on a low-to-medium speed and add the rest of the milk mixture.  Increase the speed a little and mix/knead until the dough comes together and looks smooth.  You can decide if you should add up to an extra 50 grams of flour or not, but a sticky dough is great and you definitely don’t want it too dry.
  6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap (tightly), and set aside for an hour, or until doubled in size.
  7. Once it’s risen, lightly flour a surface and knock the dough back with your knuckles (it removes the air), giving it a knead for just a minute.
  8. Split the dough into three even pieces, and roll them into long ropes.  Braid them together into a loaf, tucking the ends under, and then place it on a lined baking sheet.  Set aside for 45 minutes to prove again, covered with plastic again (you don’t want a draft getting in or it will form a skin on the dough).
  9. Preheat the oven to 425F/220C.  Brush the loaf with your beaten egg mixture, and place into the hot oven for 10 minutes.  Then reduce the temperature to 400F/200C and bake for another 35 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the base.
  10. DEVOUR.

Adapted from The Sugar Hit

Pin this image!

Swedish Vanilla Cardamom Bread | This warm and comforting bread isn't very sweet, but transports you to cozy Sweden with its cinnamon and cardamom flavors. Super easy to make, a great snack! #breadrecipes #swedishbread #cardamom #vanillabread

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Bread Recipes, Breakfast Goodies

« Sailing & Snacking In Sweden’s Gothenburg Archipelago
Fizzy Rosemary Gimlet »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

Follow Along!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent IG Adventures!

While I eagerly await warmer weather, I snuck in o While I eagerly await warmer weather, I snuck in one last winter cocktail...here's some Sage Advice! It's a winter-y version of a whiskey sour bringing both cinnamon and sage, and then skirting the line of daiquiri with the substitution of lime juice for the traditional lemon. 

Tap the link in my IG bio & pick this photo to get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking
#cocktailrecipe #bourbon #bourboncocktails #whiskeysour
Forget your run-of-the-mill double chocolate cooki Forget your run-of-the-mill double chocolate cookies 🍫 These TRIPLE dark chocolate cookies (with a hint of whiskey & balance with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt) are rich indulgence without being sickly sweet. They're also soooo easy...no special tools, no dough chilling. Delish cookies in under 30 minutes! 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to get the full recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#chocoholic #chocolatecookies #darkchocolate #cookierecipe
A recipe that gets me to eat broccoli every day?? A recipe that gets me to eat broccoli every day?? SOLD. And it is so fast & easy that it can barely be called a "recipe"...these cumin roasted broccoli bits in the air fryer (though you can use an oven instead) are crazy fast, healthy, & delicious!

Tap the link in my IG bio & pick this photo to see the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#airfryer #broccoli #easysidedish #airfryerrecipes
I've been making these healthy 5-ingredient browni I've been making these healthy 5-ingredient brownies on REPEAT for a couple months now. And knowing that they only take a few minutes to make has been a bit dangerous on random Tuesday nights when my sweet tooth strikes! 

Oh, and I forgot to mention that they're naturally gluten- & grain-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, and (optionally) no sweetener added? 

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 

#healthydessert #healthybrownies #glutenfreerecipes #vegandessert
This cranberry snack cake is seriously my platonic This cranberry snack cake is seriously my platonic ideal for a cake. I DREAM of this cake. A soft, moist, dense buttery vanilla cake batter is studded with tart fresh cranberries, with a tiny crunch of raw sugar on top. A perfect dessert or snack for pretty much any occasion...including with a cup of tea on a random Tuesday afternoon...

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe! 
--> @findingtimeforcooking 
#cranberrycake #cranberries #cranberryrecipe #bestdessert
These super easy marinated white beans are packed These super easy marinated white beans are packed with flavor & only take a few minutes to make! Even better?? They're best when made ahead of time (in 5 minutes!) and left for a day or two in the fridge for the flavors to really meld & intensify. 

This has become a go-to plant-based recipe, but I often throw some grilled salmon or chicken on top for a full meal. 

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this pic to get the recipe!
#veganrecipes #vegetarianrecipes #whitebeans #plantbasedrecipes
A lot of people don't realize how easy & cheap it A lot of people don't realize how easy & cheap it is to make your own kombucha at home...you can have an entire gallon for less than the cost of one bottle at the store! 

I can't even keep a bamboo plant alive, yet have managed to keep the same "scoby" starter healthy & active for well over a decade. 

Here are easy step-by-step instructions for making your own kombucha at home, & the tools you'll need to do so! Tap the link in my IG bio (@findingtimeforcooking) & click on this photo to see the whole post.
#homemadekombucha #kombuchabrewing #healthyguthappylife #scoby
I'm not generally a soup person, though I'm trying I'm not generally a soup person, though I'm trying to be more 🍜 But this Turkish corba (a spiced red lentil soup) has always been one of my exceptions.  It's CRAZY easy to make, full of veggies and the protein from the lentils, and just feels like a warm hug in a bowl!  A great vegetarian dinner idea, perfect on any detox protocol, and just a great cozy recipe for the winter months.

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe!
#corba #redlentils #souprecipe #drcabraldetox
Today, we FANCY. But also lazy. When I first saw a Today, we FANCY. But also lazy. When I first saw a recipe for the "lazy person's kouign amann", I was intrigued...and it definitely lives up to the hype! The texture isn't quite the same as the much more time-consuming and complex authentic French pastry it's hacking, but it's darn close and absolutely delicious. 

To see the recipe, tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#kouignamann #frenchpastries #bakingfromscratch #frenchbaking
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Popular Posts

Down-home main dish (Easy Chicken-Fried Chicken)

Super Easy Lemon Poppyseed Food Processor Biscuits

Black Bean, Chicken, & Spinach Quinoa Casserole

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Flaxseed Muffins

10-Minute Spiced Chickpea Scramble

Recent Posts

  • Sage Advice: A Winter Bourbon Cocktail
  • Weekday Indulgence: Easy Triple Dark Chocolate Coo…
  • The Best Easy Air Fryer Broccoli Bits (Roasted wit…

Categories

  • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
  • Bread Recipes
  • Breakfast Goodies
  • Cooking for One
  • Desserts
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
  • Eating Out
  • Family Secret Recipes
  • Food-Related Miscellany
  • Foods I'm Obsessed With
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Go-To Recipes
  • How-Tos
  • Kitchen Gear
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe Experimentation
  • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
  • Side Dishes & Veggies
  • Snacks
  • Soup
  • Super Healthy
  • Travel and Food
  • Uncategorized

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Copyright & Terms of Use

Copyright 2023 Finding Time For Cooking

63 shares