Finnish Nisu Sweet Bread

Finnish coffee bread - great with butter and jam. Most finns serve with coffee and around the holidays.

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water.

Stir in the milk , sugar , salt , cardamon , eggs and enough flour to make a batter.

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 .

active dry yeast, warm water, evaporated milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, eggs, butter, all-purpose flour, egg, milk