Recipe For Cooking Scandinavian Christmas Fruit Bread

Toaster Oven Yeast Breads :: Sweet Yeast Bread

Scandinavian Christmas Fruit Bread (Julekage)

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 C. warm water (105 to 115 degrees F)
3/4 C. lukewarm milk (scalded, then cooled)
1/4 C. sugar
1/2 tea. salt
1/2 tea. ground cardamom
1 egg
1/4 C. vegetable shortening
1/2 C. raisins
1/3 C. cut-up citron or mixed candied fruit
3 1/4 to 3 1/2 C. flour
Butter or margarine, softened
Glaze

Dissolve yeast in warm water in lrg. mixer bowl. Add milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, egg, vegetable shortening, raisins, citron and 2 C. of the flour. Beat on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds.

Beat on med. speed, scraping bowl occasionally, 2 min.

Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 min.

Place in prepared bowl; turn prepared side up. Cover; let rise in warm place until double, 1 to 1 1/2 hr.. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.

Punch dough down; shape into round loaf. Place in prepared 9-in. round layer pan. Brush top lightly with butter; let rise until double, about 45 min.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake until loaf is golden brown, 35 to 45 min. Brush with butter. Spread with Glaze. Cool on wire rack.

Glaze
1 C. powderedsugar
1 to 2 Tbsp. water

Mix powderedsugar and water until smooth and of desired consistency.