This week’s Tuesdays with Dorie recipe (Finnish Pulla, p 106) most definitely made me realise how far I have come making bread this year. Only a short year ago did I fear the bread and the thought of making anything with yeast made me nervous. And while I recognise that this recipe is an easy bread, relatively to many, the fact that I was able to make this, pretty easily and sans stress made me think that you know what? This bread baking thing isn’t half bad…
It’s a beautiful, silky, easy to work with dough that comes together quickly (I used the stand mixer), producing a soft, sweet bread, normally flavoured with cardamom, though here, for a festive touch, with a half-cup of dried cranberries only.
The loaf is braided from three strands of dough, then shaped into a type of wreath but as you can tell I had a bit of a braiding issue. I even had to stop and braid some of my hair to practice but to no avail. So it’s a “twisted” loaf rather than a braided one. But no matter, it was still pretty. Plus, you know, *I* made this. Words cannot describe the feeling you get looking in the oven at bread baking. It’s magical.
I *loved* this bread a lot. SO fresh and soft. Perfect warm with a little butter. I sliced it into thin slices and froze them, they toasted up well too.
Yes, there are a lot of gratuitous shots of the bread today because I simply cannot believe how “real” it looks.
The only thing missing? The pearl sugar on the top. I didn’t have any so just sprinkled some sugar on top the egg glaze. Would have been prettier with pearl sugar. Next time. Because you know what? There probably will be a next time. I can do this. This bread thing!
This week’s Tuesdays with Dorie, Baking with Julia was hosted by Erin of The Daily Morsel and you can find the recipe posted on her blog. Tuesdays with Dorie participants do not publish the recipes on our blogs except if we happen to be the host for the week, rather, we prefer if you purchase Baking with Julia for yourselves which you can do here on Amazon or Amazon Canada. Or for free worldwide shipping, buy from The Book Depository. Then join us, baking along at Tuesdays with Dorie. Go on, you know you want to.
** I’m submitting this to Kitchen Bootcamp: Challenge – Holiday Recipes!
I told you this was the year of yeast 🙂 You came, you saw, you conquered!!!!
Gorgeous.
Thanks Cher – I remember laughing when you said that way back in January!
So pretty with the cranberries, Mardi! And I agree, yeast bread is not so daunting anymore!
A little but but way less than it was!
I think it looks lovely! The twist looks perfect and sugar or no sugar on top, I bet it was still delicious. How wonderful that you have come so far in baking bread this year – this was a perfect last TWD recipe of the year for you!
That it was!
Actually, I must admit that *I* was thinking how far Mardi has come on the bread front when I came back from a charity children’s party and saw this browning in the oven – no hand-wringing noises to be heard!
This was a nice bread, if a tad on the sweet side for me. (Just not my preferred style – consistency and flavour as it should be.) Then again, lathered with a nice chocolate spread… 😉
Thanks 🙂
Great looking wreath. Love the twisted look. I should have gone that route, as the braiding was more difficult than I thought it would be!!
It really is good bread. I was so happy it worked out and was indeed yummy.
Yeah what was with that braiding being so challenging?
I think it looks beautiful!! This was a lovely bread…I haven’t cut mine yet…saving it for Christmas morning!
Oh really – it keeps that long?
It sure does look pretty even twisted. We have progressed since the first recipe. Well done on this one!
We sure have!
Awesome, beautiful bread! You’re totally justified in taking so many pictures! I wish I’d made this bread now – I made a rum cake instead, and I think I would have liked this better. Oh, well, something for a rewind week. Lovely job!
A definite “must make” for a rewind week.
I like the twisted idea a lot! This bread has so many possible additions, I love it. It looks wonderful Mardi!
Yes looks to be pretty versatile!
Looks great! It’s amazing how far you can come in a year. I too feared yeast not even twelve months ago. Now, we just have to pick something new to conquer in 2013 😉
Well I think I am still going to have to work on bread!
How do you say
“damn good lookin’ bread”
in Finnish?
Ha!
I love the twisted look and the cranberries are a perfect touch. It’s easy to fall in love with a loaf of bread that you’ve made with your own hands, isn’t it? There’s something magical about making yeasted breads.
It’s magic and science all rolled into one!
Congratulations! You achieved a masterpiece! and the addition of cranberry is such a good and yummy idea!
I love this bread! It’s a winner
I was impressed too!
What a lovely job, Mardi. The cranberries add a really festive touch to your bread. We know the feeling. It is truly satisfying when bread turns out really well.
So satisfying indeed!
Love the twisted look too, and the cranberries are a great idea, I think to do the same the next time!!! So yummy and perfect for Christmas!!!
Happy Holidays!
Very Christmas-y!
Gorgeous, Mardi — and I love sweet breads scented with cardamom. They always remind me of a dear Swedish friend and her Saint-Lucia celebrations. Happy holidays!
Yes I need to try with cardamom next time!
Never again can you say you have trouble with bread….not even braided breads! Looks fabulous Mardi 😉
Well I am sure it’s just the tip of the iceberg – so much I haven’t tried yet!
YOU are a bread baker! Congrats on the beautiful wreath! Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much Catherine!
I’m a Finn, and I love pulla 🙂 I have recipes for buns on my blog, if you are interested, thanks! Yours look moist and delicious! Have a great day!
I will take a look!
Your bread looks great.. I loved it too, definitely a keeper..
For sure – so easy and delicious!
Your pulla is beautiful! It looks so very festive with the dried cranberries. I am glad you are enjoying bread baking! Happy Holidays!
Yes I thought the cranberries were festive too!
I think your bread looks very pretty sans pearl sugar! Love the twisted look!
Thanks Cathleen!
I am so disappointed that I didn’t get this bread made this week. Yous looks absolutely beautiful. I will admit I was a little intimidated – it seemed difficult. The braiding thing. But, you’ve given me a little confidence to give it a go. I just finished my Christmas with my family and have a big lonely week-end facing me so I think I will try to pull this off. Thanks for the encouragement. Your bread looks fabulous.
Yeah for you! There is a whole world of bread baking out there for you to conquer now. Go for it! Great job!
Your twisted bread looks beautiful! And I loved the cranberries idea! My dad is coming for a visit in a few days and requested that we make this together so I think we’ll add some stuff too.