Finnish Cinnamon Toast Recipes

FINNISH PULLA

Steps:

• Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Let cool until lukewarm.
• Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Stir in the lukewarm milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, 4 eggs, and enough flour to make a batter (approximately 2 cups). Beat until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add about 3 cups of the flour and beat well; the dough should be smooth and glossy in appearance. Add the melted butter or margarine, and stir well. Beat again until the dough looks glossy. Stir in the remaining flour until the dough is stiff.
• Turn out of bowl onto a floured surface, cover with an inverted mixing bowl, and let rest for 15 minutes. Knead the dough until smooth and satiny. Place in a lightly greased mixing bowl, and turn the dough to grease the top. Cover with a clean dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down, and let rise again until almost doubled.
• Turn out again on to a floured surface, and divide into 3 parts. Divide each third into 3 again. Roll each piece into a 12 to 16 inch strip. Braid 3 strips into a loaf. You should get 3 large braided loaves. Lift the braids onto greased baking sheets. Let rise for 20 minutes.
• Brush each loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Check occasionally because the bottom burns easily.

CINNAMON TOAST

Steps:

• Use a toaster to toast the bread to desired darkness. Spread butter or margarine onto one side of each slice. In a cup or small bowl, stir together the sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle generously over hot buttered toast.

CINNAMON TWISTS

Steps:

• Heat the milk and butter in a small pan until the butter has melted. Allow to cool slightly - the milk should be warm, not hot. Put the flour in a large mixing bowl with a pinch of salt to one side of the bowl. Add the yeast into the flour on the other side of the bowl, so it's not touching the salt. Pour in the sugar, then mix it all together.
• Gradually pour the warm milk into the dry ingredients, mixing with your hands until you have a relatively sticky dough. You may not need all of the milk. Add in the egg and continue to work until combined.
• Lightly dust a surface with flour and tip out the dough. It will be quite wet - the more you knead it, the easier it will become. Knead for around 10 mins until you have a smooth dough. Put in a lightly floured bowl to prove for 1 hr or until doubled in size.
• To make the filling, mix the melted butter, sugar and cinnamon together until you get a smooth paste. Set aside.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to around a 30 x 40cm rectangle. Spread over the filling using a palette knife until the dough is completely covered.
• Fold in half widthways and cut into 16-18 strips down the shortest side. Twist both ends of each strip in opposite directions until a spiral shape forms. Holding one end in your hand, wrap the rest of the dough around it and over, pressing the ends into the bottom of the bun so it doesn't unravel during cooking.
• Lay on two lined baking trays spaced 5cm apart. Leave to prove for 30-45 mins until risen slightly. Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Brush the tops of the buns with a little egg and bake for 18-20 mins until golden. Don't worry if a little cinnamon butter comes out.
• For the coating, mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Whilst still warm, toss the buns in the sugar and eat straight away.

FINNISH CINNAMON TOAST

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in very warm water, about 110 to 115 degrees. Bring milk, margarine, 1/2 cup sugar and salt just to boiling over medium-low heat; cool. Stir in yeast mixture. Add eggs and 9 cups flour. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 7 to 10 minutes, adding additional flour if sticky; let rise until double in bulk. Form into 6 loaves, about 8 inches long; let rise for one hour. Arrange on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes; cool. Slice bread 1/2-inch thick. Mix together remaining sugar and cinnamon; dip each slice into sugar mixture. Return to baking sheet and bake until crisp and golden, turning occasionally. Store in a paper bag. To serve, butter several slices and place in a bowl; top with hot milk. Tip: Sprinkle a few drops of hot water on your forearm...if it doesn't feel too hot or too cold, it's just the right temperature for dissolving yeast.