Grandma’s Finnish Biscuit

The smell of cardamom and fresh bread wafting down the hall. Who can resist? Our down-the-hall friend Kevin had been telling us about his grandmother’s cardamom biscuit. How his grandmother would make the biscuit for holidays and send him 2 loaves How the smell of this biscuit brings back all sorts of good feelings. Finally, after days of hearing about the wonders of this biscuit Kevin delivered us our own share. You and I would call it a bread, but Kevin and his grandmother call it a biscuit. It’s delicious, and heart warming and time to make more.

Grandma’s Finnish Biscuit

2 packages of yeast, ½ cup warm water, 1 tsp sugar – let it stand until double

Melt ½ pound of butter in 1 quart of milk (do not boil), let cool

Add 3 beaten eggs, 2-3 tsp ground cardamom, 1½ tbl salt, 2 cups sugar and yeast mixture

Add flour until thick (10-13 cups), kneading as you go, until it is no longer is sticky

Let rise in a warm spot until double in size (about 1 hour)

Divide into 4 or 5 parts.  Divide each part into thirds, roll and braid.

Place in greased bread pans.  Let rise. 

Coat top with whipped whole egg.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  (375 degrees and 60 minutes at 8000 feet)

Best enjoyed toasted and buttered!