Best 6 Scandinavian Christmas Fruit Bread Julekage Recipes

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Discover Julekage, a traditional Scandinavian Christmas fruit bread that captivates taste buds with its rich, aromatic flavor and delightful texture. This delectable treat, also known as fruitcake, is a beloved holiday staple in many Nordic countries, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Each region boasts its unique variation, but they all share a common foundation of dried fruits, spices, and a hint of citrus zest. As you embark on this culinary journey, you'll encounter an array of Julekage recipes, each offering its own distinctive twist on this classic delight. From the Danish Julekage, renowned for its generous filling of raisins, almonds, and candied orange peel, to the Norwegian Julekake, characterized by its moist texture and aromatic cardamom notes, these recipes showcase the diverse culinary heritage of Scandinavia. Whether you prefer the Swedish Lussekatter, saffron buns adorned with raisins, or the Finnish Piparkakut, ginger cookies featuring intricate designs, you'll find a recipe that suits your taste and brings the warmth of Scandinavian Christmas traditions to your table.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

NORWEGIAN CHRISTMAS BREAD (JULEKAKE)



Norwegian Christmas Bread (Julekake) image

Julekake, a Norwegian Christmas bread, is a holiday favorite that's easy to make at home.

Provided by Carroll Pellegrinelli

Categories     Bread

Time 3h25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup water
2 packages rapid rise yeast
1/2 cup margarine (or butter)
2 cups milk, plus more for brushing loaves
8 cups flour, divided
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
2 cups mixed candied fruit​

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • In a large bowl, mix the yeast with warm water to dissolve. In a saucepan, gently heat the margarine or butter with the milk until the margarine melts.
  • In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of the flour with the sugar, salt, and ground cardamom.
  • Add the yeast and margarine mixture, and combine with an electric mixer. Beat until the batter falls in sheets from beaters.
  • Stir in the candied fruit and gradually add the remaining flour.
  • Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Shape the dough into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place (80 to 85 F) until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
  • Punch down the dough and place on a pastry board.
  • Shape into 2 loaves and place each in a greased 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan.
  • Brush the tops of loaves with milk.
  • Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 to 50 minutes.
  • Bake at 375 F for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 368 kcal, Carbohydrate 73 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 225 mg, Sugar 29 g, Fat 6 g, ServingSize One loaf, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

JULEKAKE



Julekake image

Because Julekake is one of our most requested recipes, we knew you'd love a version you could make in your bread machine.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Time 3h20m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package regular or fast-acting dry yeast
1/4 cup very warm water (120°F to 130°F)
3/4 cup very warm milk (120º to 130º)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 egg
1/2 cup raisins
1/3 cup fruitcake mix (mixed candied fruit)
3 1/4 to 3 3/4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons water

Steps:

  • In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in warm milk, sugar, shortening, salt, cardamom, egg, raisins, fruitcake mix and 1 1/2 cups of the flour. Beat with spoon until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.
  • Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead about 5 minutes or until smooth and springy. Grease large bowl with shortening. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover; let rise in warm place about 1 hour 30 minutes or until double in size. (Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.)
  • Grease 9-inch round pan with shortening. Gently push fist into dough to deflate. Shape into round loaf. Place in pan. Cover; let rise in warm place about 45 minutes or until double in size.
  • Heat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, beat egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water; brush over dough. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 195, Carbohydrate 35 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 1 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 Slice, Sodium 240 mg

SCANDINAVIAN FRUIT BREAD ( JULEKAGE)



Scandinavian Fruit Bread ( Julekage) image

A delicious fruit bread, Great for toast. Recipe comes from Recipegoldmine.com. Time does not include time for rising.

Provided by Barb G.

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 1h5m

Yield 1 Loaf

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (1/4 ounce) package dry yeast
1/4 cup warn water (105 to 115 degrees)
3/4 cup lukewarm milk (scaled, then cooled)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 egg
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup cut-up citron or 1/3 cup mixed candied fruit
3 1/4-3 1/2 cups flour
butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 -2 tablespoon water

Steps:

  • Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large mixer bowl.
  • Add milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, egg, shortening, raisins, citron and 2 cups flour.
  • Beat on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds.
  • Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 2 minutes.
  • Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.
  • Turn dough onto floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
  • Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up.
  • Cover; let rise in warm place until double, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
  • Punch dough down; shape into round loaf.
  • Place in greased 9 inch-round pan.
  • Brush top lightly with butter; let rise until about double, about 45 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F, bake until loaf is golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes.
  • Brush with butter.
  • Make glaze by mixing powdered sugar and water until smooth and the desired consistency.
  • Spread glaze on top.
  • Cool on wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 2914.8, Fat 67.5, SaturatedFat 19.2, Cholesterol 237.1, Sodium 1341, Carbohydrate 520.5, Fiber 14.1, Sugar 190.4, Protein 58.2

JULE KAKA



Jule Kaka image

This is a Swedish Christmas Bread with candied fruits and a yummy cardamom flavor.

Provided by Janice

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes

Time 6h

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups scalded milk
1 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup white sugar
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
½ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
8 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cardamom
½ cup candied cherries, sliced
½ cup chopped candied citron
1 cup golden raisins
1 egg white, beaten

Steps:

  • Dissolve yeast in water.
  • Scald milk, and add melted butter or margarine, salt, sugar. When lukewarm add to yeast and water. Stir in 4 cups flour. Cover, and place in a warm place. Let rise for about 2 hours, or till doubled in bulk.
  • Punch down. Stir in cardamom, cherries, raisins and citron. Work in remaining flour until soft dough forms. Let rise in warm place for 2 to 3 hours, or until doubled.
  • Knead slightly, and form into 4 round loaves. Place on greased cookie sheets. Let rise for 1 to 2 hours, or till doubled. Brush loaves with beaten egg white.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 158.6 calories, Carbohydrate 27.2 g, Cholesterol 11 mg, Fat 4.3 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 138.9 mg, Sugar 7.4 g

JULEKAGE



Julekage image

When we lived in California, a friend made these for us at Christmas. Once we moved here, I found myself missing those light, moist loaves, dotted with candied fruit and blanketed with thick frosting. So I hunted up this recipe and started making them. The cardamom gives the bread a wonderfully distinctive flavor. -Carol Mead, Los Alamos, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 2 loaves.

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
3/4 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
5 to 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups chopped mixed candied fruit
1/2 cup golden raisins
FROSTING:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon milk
Red and green candied cherries

Steps:

  • In a bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in water; let stand for 5 minutes. Add milk, butter, egg, salt, cardamom, 2-1/4 cups flour and remaining sugar. Beat until smooth. Stir in fruit, raisins and 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 1-1/2 hours. , Punch dough down; shape into two loaves; place in two greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans and cool on wire racks. , For frosting, combine sugar, butter and milk until smooth; spread over loaves. Decorate with cherries.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 178 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 17mg cholesterol, Sodium 127mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

DANISH JULEKAGE



Danish Julekage image

Cardamom and lots of fruit enliven this unique holiday bread. The recipe was handed down from my grandmother, who came to the United States from Denmark when she was 16 years old.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h20m

Yield 2 loaves.

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2 cups warm milk (110° to 115°)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon shortening
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
3 eggs, beaten
8-1/2 to 9 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped candied fruit
FILLING:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
TOPPING:
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 tablespoons cold butter

Steps:

  • In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, sugar, butter, shortening, salt, cardamom, eggs and 4 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in raisins, candied fruit and 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 1-1/4 hours., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into a 12x9-in. rectangle. Brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar to within 1/2-in. of edges. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal and tuck ends under. Place, seam side down, in two greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. For topping, combine sugar, flour and cardamom; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over loaves. Bake 50-60 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 253 calories, Fat 6g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 213mg sodium, Carbohydrate 46g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

Tips:

  • To achieve the best flavor, use high-quality ingredients such as fresh fruits, nuts, and spices.
  • If you don't have mixed candied fruit, you can use a combination of your favorite candied fruits, such as cherries, oranges, and lemons.
  • To prevent the bread from becoming too dry, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing.
  • Scandinavian Christmas fruit bread can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • This bread can be served as a snack, dessert, or even a light breakfast.

Conclusion:

Scandinavian Christmas fruit bread is a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for the holiday season. This bread is made with a variety of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, and it has a moist and flavorful crumb. It is a traditional Christmas bread in many Scandinavian countries, and it is also popular in other parts of the world. If you're looking for a unique and delicious holiday bread, Scandinavian Christmas fruit bread is definitely worth trying.

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