Whole Wheat Yorkshire Yule Bread Recipes

YULEKAKE - NORWEGIAN CHRISTMAS BREAD

Steps:

• in a heatproof bowl, put all raisins together and cover with approximately 5 cups of boiling water to soften. set aside.
• mix the 2 packages of dry yeast with 1/2 cup of warm water. mix well and let sit.
• boil 2 cups of milk until scalded. turn down heat to medium and add the 3/4 cup of butter until melted. remove from heat and set aside.
• in a large bowl measure 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 of the container of cardamom. mix well.
• add the two beaten eggs to the dry mixture. then add the milk/butter mixture. gradually add 6 of the 8 cups of flour and the dissolved yeast.
• drain the raisins. add the raisins and citron to the mix. now add the remaining 2 cups of flour.
• time to knead the bread! i use my heavy-duty mixer as it is easier on my hands and back. if manual knead, place dough on floured breadboard and knead completely.
• once the bread is kneaded, place into a large pre-floured bowl and cover with a dish towel or cloth allowing it to rise for 1 hour.
• after the dough has risen, cut it into two loaves. place each into a pre-greased, pre-floured baking loaf pan.
• again, cover each loaf pan and allow to rise for another hour.
• before placing the loaves into a pre-heated 300 degree oven, cut the top of each loaf with an X design, or a fancy cut design of your choice, and brush with 1 beaten egg.
• bake the loaves for 45 minutes at 300 degrees. increase the heat to 325 degrees for the next 30-45 minutes (test after 30 minutes with a toothpick for doneness - make take longer, make take less depending on your oven temperature).
• remove the loaves from the oven and brush with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
• let loaves cool completely before removing from pans.
• note: if you choose to omit the citron, which i do often, use 2 cups each of the golden and regular raisins instead.

WHOLE-WHEAT YORKSHIRE YULE BREAD

Steps:

• Combine yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 cup warm water in a small bowl. Stir to mix. Set aside 10 minutes to develop.
• Combine remaining sugar and warm water with butter, salt and lemon extract in a large bowl and stir to mix. Add yeast mixture and egg and stir to mix.
• Add whole wheat flour and beat vigorously about 2 minutes to develop the flour's gluten.
• Combine all-purpose flour with allspice, nutmeg, cloves, ginger root and lemon zest in a small bowl. Stir to mix, and gradually incorporate into the whole-wheat flour.
• Turn dough out onto well-floured surface. Knead 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Shape into ball, place in clean, large bowl and cover with plastic; set in a warm area 2 1/2 hours, or until double in volume.
• Punch dough down squarely in center to release built-up gases. Turn out onto well-floured surface and knead 10 minutes; gradually knead in raisins and candied fruit. Shape into a loaf 9 by 4 inches and place on ungreased baking sheet. Holding kitchen shears perpendicular to top of loaf, make deep cuts about 2 1/2 inches long in a zigzag pattern along the length of the loaf. Cover with towel and set in a warm area for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake 45 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to wire cake rack to partially cool.
• If desired, brush with confectioners' sugar glaze and place glaceed cherry at each outside diagonal point in the zigzag pattern; scatter almonds over all. Serve warm or at room temperature.