Best 9 Finnish Bread Recipes

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In the heart of Finland, a culinary masterpiece awaits – Finnish Bread, an aromatic, delectable treat that has captivated taste buds for centuries. This humble yet extraordinary bread comes in a myriad of forms, each with its own distinct character. From the classic Ruisleipä, a dark and hearty rye bread, to the delicate Pulla, a sweet and cardamom-scented delight, the Finnish bread repertoire is a symphony of flavors. Whether you prefer the rustic charm of Kaurapala, a hearty oat bread, or the nutty goodness of Karjalanpiirakka, a traditional rice pasty, there's a Finnish bread to suit every palate. Immerse yourself in the rich history and diverse flavors of Finnish bread, and let your taste buds embark on a culinary journey to the heart of this Nordic gem.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

FINNISH PULLA BREAD



Finnish Pulla Bread image

A unique bread with a sweet flavor that makes a wonderful holiday gift! It takes about 4 hours to make, so allow yourself plenty of time. Feel free to add raisins or any chopped dried fruits.

Provided by Annacia

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 2h30m

Yield 3 loaves

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups milk
1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
4 eggs, beaten
9 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons white sugar

Steps:

  • Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Let cool until lukewarm.
  • Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Stir in the lukewarm milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, 4 eggs, and enough flour to make a batter (approximately 2 cups). Beat until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add about 3 cups of the flour and beat well; the dough should be smooth and glossy in appearance. Add the melted butter or margarine, and stir well. Beat again until the dough looks glossy. Stir in the remaining flour until the dough is stiff.
  • Turn out of bowl onto a floured surface, cover with an inverted mixing bowl, and let rest for 15 minutes. Knead the dough until smooth and satiny. Place in a lightly greased mixing bowl, and turn the dough to grease the top. Cover with a clean dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down, and let rise again until almost doubled.
  • Turn out again on to a floured surface, and divide into 3 parts. Divide each third into 3 again. Roll each piece into a 12 to 16 inch strip. Braid 3 strips into a loaf. You should get 3 large braided loaves. Lift the braids onto greased baking sheets. Let rise for 20 minutes.
  • Brush each loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
  • Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Check occasionally because the bottom burns easily.

FINNISH BREAD



Finnish Bread image

This recipe was brought over from Finland by pioneers who settled the area. We make this bread for a local festival that features foods from different countries.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup butter, melted, divided
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add whole wheat flour, 2 tablespoons of butter, brown sugar, salt and 2 cups of flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch the dough down. Shape into two 6-in. rounds; place on a greased baking sheet. Cut slashes in top with a knife. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes. , Bake at 400° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with remaining butter.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 122 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 217mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

RIESKA (FINNISH QUICK FLAT RYE BREAD)



Rieska (Finnish Quick Flat Rye Bread) image

A traditional Finnish rye bread. Often this would be served with stews or soups - at least thats when I remember having it. Best with butter!

Provided by LiisaN

Categories     Breads

Time 30m

Yield 1 loaf

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup rye flour
3 cups white flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons sugar
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients, as if you were mixing for a pie crust.
  • Dough will be soft.
  • Roll out to about 1/2 inch thickness.
  • Bake for 10 minutes at 475 degrees.

FINNISH COFFEE BREAD (TRADITIONAL)



Finnish Coffee Bread (Traditional) image

Originally this recipe was printed in the Finnish Cookbook but I have been making it every year for Christmas breakfast. Although it is time consuming with three rises this recipe makes three coffee braids, so there is always one for the freezer and to share with friends. Prep time includes approximate rising time.

Provided by ellie_

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 4h30m

Yield 3 coffee braids

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast (original recipe specifies one package but I use 2)
1/2 cup lukewarm water
2 cups milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
8 -12 cardamom pods, seeded and crushed, depending on how strong a cardamom flavor you like (I use 10-12)
5 eggs, beaten, divided (1 egg is used for glaze)
8 -10 cups flour
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, melted
1/4 cup sugar, for glazing braids (or less)

Steps:

  • Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl.
  • Stir in milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, 4 eggs, and 2 cups of flour.
  • Stir until dough is smooth.
  • Add 3 cups of flour and stir well.
  • Stir in melted butter or margarine.
  • Stir in 2-3 cups more flour or until you have a stiff dough.
  • Turn dough out onto a floured bread board and cover with inverted bowl.
  • Let rest for 15 minutes.
  • Knead dough until smooth and satiny (8-10 minutes).
  • Place dough in large lightly greased bowl, turning to grease top.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and/or towel.
  • Let dough rise in a warm place until doubled (1-2 hours).
  • Punch dough down.
  • Let dough rise again until almost double (30 minutes- 1 hour).
  • Turn out onto floured board.
  • Divide dough into thirds, working with only one third at a time.
  • Divide (one- third of dough) into three parts.
  • With your hands roll each part into one 18"strand.
  • Braid the three stands together to form one braid, tucking ends under.
  • Place on lightly greased cookie sheet.
  • Let rise 20-30 minutes until puffy.
  • Repeat with other two parts (each one-third of original dough).
  • You will have three braids when finished.
  • Brush braids with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
  • Bake in 400°F oven for 20-30 minutes or until braids are light brown.

FINNISH NISU - SWEET BREAD



Finnish Nisu - Sweet Bread image

Finnish Coffee Bread - great with butter and jam. Most Finns serve with coffee and around the holidays.

Provided by LiisaN

Categories     Breads

Time 3h

Yield 3 loaves

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 packages active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1 (13 ounce) can undiluted evaporated milk, heated to 110 degrees
1/2-1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon crushed cardamom, seed
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup softened butter
8 -9 cups all-purpose flour
egg, mixed with
milk, for glaze
sliced almonds or plain sugar, for decoration

Steps:

  • Dissolve the yeast in the warm water.
  • Stir in the milk, sugar, salt, cardamon, eggs and enough flour to make a batter (approx. 2 cups).
  • Beat until dough is smooth and elastic.
  • Add about 3 cups of flour and beat well.
  • Dough should be smooth and glossy in appearance.
  • Add remaining flour 1 cup at a time until dough is stiff.
  • Add the butter; beat until dough looks glossy again.
  • Turn out onto floured board, cover with inverted bowl.
  • Let rest for 15 minutes.
  • Knead until smooth and satiny.
  • Place in lightly greased bowl, turn dough to grease top, cover lightly and let rise in warm place- until doubled in size.
  • Punch down; let rise again.
  • Turn out onton a lightly floured board, divide into 3 parts, and divide each part into 3.
  • Shape each piece of dough into a strip 16 inches long by rolling between palms and board.
  • Braid 3 strips together into a straight loaf and pinch ends together and tuck under.
  • Repeat for second and third loafs.
  • Place on lightly greased baking sheets.
  • Let rise until puffy (1/2 to 1 hour).
  • Glaze loaves with a mixture of beaten egg and milk.
  • Sprinkle with sugar and sliced almonds.
  • Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
  • Do not overbake- or bread will be dry.

RIESKA - FINNISH POTATO FLAT BREAD



Rieska - Finnish Potato Flat Bread image

Rieska is a Finnish flat bread made with oat, barley or potato. Granny would bake the bread in her giant wood-fired oven and it was the best thing to have with 'gravlax' (salt cured salmon). This particular recipe is an easy potato version. From Scandi-Home, a Scandinavian cooking blog.

Provided by Jostlori

Categories     Breads

Time 25m

Yield 4 pieces

Number Of Ingredients 4

10 ounces mashed potatoes, cooled
1 cup flour
1 large egg
1 pinch salt

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Mix all ingredients in a bowl and divide the dough into 4 portions.
  • Place the portions on a baking tray lined with baking paper and flatten each portion with flour dusted fingers into round disks.
  • Prick the breads with a fork and bake for 15 minutes. Serve warm with butter, smoked salmon and fresh dill.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190.9, Fat 1.9, SaturatedFat 0.7, Cholesterol 47.9, Sodium 272.9, Carbohydrate 36.5, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 1.2, Protein 6.2

FINNISH SWEET CARDAMOM RAISIN BREAD (PULLA)



Finnish Sweet Cardamom Raisin Bread (Pulla) image

This soft, slightly sweet bread is made with plenty of butter, which results in tender pieces that can be pulled apart, bite by bite. A hint of cardamom and a handful of plump raisins make it a special treat for teatime. Total preparation time includes to dough rises. From Gourmet magazine, August 2007 (Julia Langbein) and posted for ZWT6.

Provided by kitty.rock

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 4h45m

Yield 2 loaves, 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup raisins
1/4 cup warm water (105-115 F)
1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
5 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 1/4 cups warm whole milk (105-115 F)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten with
1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Steps:

  • Soak raisins in hot tap water to cover until plump, about 20 minutes, then drain.
  • Meanwhile, stir together warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar in a small bowl. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If yeast doesn't foam, start over with new yeast.)
  • Stir together flour, sugar, cardamom, and salt in a large bowl, then blend in butter with a pastry blender or your fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal.
  • Stir in milk, whole egg, and yeast mixture with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead, dusting surface and hands with just enough flour to keep dough from sticking, until dough is smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Pat dough into a 9-inch square and sprinkle with raisins. Fold dough over to enclose raisins and pinch edges to seal. Knead, dusting surface and hands lightly with flour, until raisins are distributed. (Dough will be lumpy and slightly sticky; if any raisins pop out, just push them back in.) Form dough into a ball.
  • Put dough in a buttered large bowl and turn to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and let dough rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
  • Punch down dough (do not knead), then halve.
  • Cut each half into thirds and roll each piece into a 15-inch rope. Braid together 3 ropes to form a loaf, then transfer to a parchment-lined large baking sheet, tucking ends under.
  • Make another loaf with remaining 3 ropes, arranging loaves 4 inches apart. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
  • Brush loaves with egg wash and bake until golden brown and bottoms sound hollow when tapped, 40 to 45 minutes.
  • Transfer to a rack to cool.
  • Cooks' note: Bread can be made 2 days ahead and kept, wrapped well, at room temperature or frozen 1 month.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 2391.9, Fat 82.4, SaturatedFat 48.7, Cholesterol 408.9, Sodium 1579.8, Carbohydrate 372, Fiber 12.1, Sugar 118.7, Protein 46.1

FINNISH PULLA BREAD - BREAD MACHINE RECIPE - (4.4/5)



Finnish Pulla Bread - Bread Machine Recipe - (4.4/5) image

Provided by á-4084

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup milk
1 stick butter, minus one tablespoon
1 heaping teaspoon ground cardamom (more or less, to taste)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour (preferably King Arthur)
2 teaspoons yeast (not rapid-rise type)

Steps:

  • Beat eggs with sugar. In a small saucepan (or in the microwave), warm the milk, and melt the butter in the warm milk. Add cardamom, vanilla and salt. Mix above ingredients until well blended and pour liquids in bottom of the bread machine pan. (Note: Follow your individual bread machine instructions as to adding ingredients. But do not mix salt with yeast. Salt will negate the action of the yeast.) Add the flour, make a small dent in flour and place yeast in dent. Set machine on dough setting. Preheat oven to 350°F. When cycle is finished, remove dough and cut into two pieces. Cut each of the two pieces into three pieces for braids. Braid dough and shape. Let rise until about double. Brush on Eggbeaters and sprinkle with coarse sugar. (make an egg wash by beating one egg with one teaspoon of water. Brush on, then sprinkle with sugar.) Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until bread has risen and the loaves are golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

GRANDMA G'S FINNISH RYE/GRAHAM BREAD (BREAD MACHINE)



Grandma G's Finnish Rye/Graham Bread (bread machine) image

This was my grandma's bread recipe. There were no amounts, only a list of ingredients. With much testing, I have come up with the recipe that tastes as close as I can get to her bread.

Provided by Randi Lerch

Categories     Other Breads

Time 3h30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 c lukewarm water
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
2 tsp honey or white sugar
5 Tbsp rye flour
4 Tbsp graham flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp active dry yeast
2 Tbsp instant mashed potato flakes
3 Tbsp quaker old fashioned oats (not instant)
bread flour

Steps:

  • 1. Add the wet ingredients to your bread machine (water, oil, honey). Next add the salt, potato flakes and oats.
  • 2. Into a measuring cup, put the rye flour and graham flour. Add enough regular bread flour to make 3 1/2 cups. Pour this into the bread machine on top of the wet ingredients.
  • 3. Make a "well" in the flour mixture and add the yeast. Use the "whole wheat" cycle on your machine, 2 pound loaf, dark crust. Turn the machine on and you will have a delicious loaf in a little over 3 hours. NOTE: WATCH THE CONSISTENCY of the mixture as it mixes. If it seems too dry, add one tablespoon of water at a time until the dough forms a "ball" around the paddle. If it is too wet, add one tablespoon of flour at a time.

Tips for Baking Finnish Bread

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste and texture of your bread. Use unbleached all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, and unsalted butter for the best results.
  • Follow the recipe carefully: Finnish bread is a simple bread to make, but it's important to follow the recipe carefully to ensure that it turns out perfectly. Pay attention to the measurements and instructions, and don't skip any steps.
  • Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic: Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten in the flour, which gives the bread its structure and texture. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place: The dough needs to rise in a warm place in order to double in size. This will take about 1 hour. You can either let the dough rise in a warm corner of your kitchen, or you can place it in a warm oven (turned off) with a bowl of hot water.
  • Bake the bread in a preheated oven: The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before you bake the bread. This will help to create a crispy crust and a fluffy interior.
  • Let the bread cool before slicing: Once the bread is baked, let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will help to prevent the bread from crumbling.

Conclusion

Finnish bread is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a great bread for sandwiches, toast, or simply spreading with butter and jam. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, Finnish bread is a great choice for beginner bakers. So next time you're looking for a new bread to try, give Finnish bread a try. You won't be disappointed!

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