I shared a recipe once for my favourite bread: Cardamom Braid. The problem with this bread is that it is incredibly fiddly and time consuming to make, and is devoured in minutes. A while ago I found a bread machine cardamom braid recipe that I’ve been using ever since, and thought I’d share that with you now.
Cardamom is a beautiful spice, which is used as a medicine in many countries to help fight infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids and also digestive orders. It’s the most expensive spice by weight – but you use so little of it that it lasts for ages.
So, here’s the lazy busy approach to my favourite bread:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2¼ cups flour (bread flour works best, but I’ve had success with self-raising too)
- 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1½ teaspoons cardamom seeds (double up if using powder)
- sugar for sprinkling (optional)
- (My original recipe also includes a 1/3 cup of raisins, which I love in this bread)
Pour all the ingredients into the bread machine.
To make a proper Cardamom braid:
Use the ‘dough’ setting. After the machine finishes, divide into three sections and roll into strips.
Cover with a cloth and allow to rest for 10 minutes
Braid the dough and top with a light sugar coating (optional, but delicious)
Place on an oven tray
Cover and leave to raise for 40 – 50 minutes in a warm place
Bake at 350F (180C) for 18-20 minutes
Allow to cool slightly and serve.
For minimal effort Cardamom bread:
Use the breadmachine’s 3 hour setting and press start.
Once bread has finished kneeding and starts raising, sprinkle with sugar
When machine is finished you can put a dollop of butter on top to soften the crust, but this is personal preference.
yummy, perfect for breakfast and during my coffee break! thanks for the recipe.