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Julekage
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Julekage (pronounced yoo-ley-key-yeh) is a popular Norwegian Christmas fruit bread filled with candied fruit, golden raisins and cardamom. Glistening sugar and snow-white icing top this special holiday bread.
INGREDIENTS
This recipe makes 1 loaf
| Water | 2/3 cup | ||
| Milk, evaporated | 1/3 cup | ||
| Egg, large, room temperature | 1 | ||
| Butter | 1/2 cup | ||
| Salt | 1/2 tsp | ||
| Sugar | 1/4 cup | ||
| Bread Flour | 3+1/3 cups | ||
| Cardamom, ground | 1/2 tsp | ||
| Active Dry Yeast | 2+1/4 tsp | ||
| Golden raisins | 1/2 cup | ||
| Citron or candied fruit, finely chopped | 1/4 cup | ||
Glaze |
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| Egg | 1 | ||
| Milk | 1 TBSP | ||
| Sugar cube, crushed or pearl sugar | 1/3 cup | ||
Icing |
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| Confectioners' sugar | 1 cup | ||
| Water | 1 TBSP | ||
| Butter | 1 tsp | ||
| Almond extract | 1/2 tsp | ||
DIRECTIONS
Bread Machine Method
Place room temperature ingredients, except raisins and candied fruit, in pan in order listed.
Select SWEET setting, LIGHT crust. Do not use delay feature. Check dough consistency after 5 minutes of kneading. The dough should be in a soft, tacky ball. If it is dry and stiff, add water, 1/2 to 1 tablespoon at a time. If it is too wet and sticky, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time. See our Bread Machine section for more helpful tips and information. Add raisins and candied fruit 5 minutes before the end of last kneading cycle. Combine egg and milk of Glaze. At end of rising time, before baking begins, open lid; liberally brush top of loaf with Glaze. Close lid for baking. Remove from pan; cool on rack. Continue with Icing directions.
OR
Select DOUGH setting. When cycle is complete, remove dough from pan and continue with Shaping, Rising and Baking directions below.
Traditional Method
Combine yeast, 1 cup flour, salt and sugar. Heat evaporated milk, water and butter to 120º-130ºF. Butter does not need to melt. Combine dry mixture and milk mixture at low speed. Beat 2 to 3 minutes on medium speed. Add egg; beat 1 minute. By hand, stir in enough remaining flour to make firm dough. Knead on lightly floured surface 5 to 7 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place dough in lightly oiled bowl; turn to grease top. Cover; let rise until dough tests ripe, about 40 minutes. Punch down to remove air bubbles. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; press flat. Spread candied fruit and raisins across dough. Fold dough; knead fruits evenly throughout dough. Allow dough to relax 10 minutes.
Shaping, Rising and Baking
Shape into ball; place on greased baking sheet. Press dough to flatten somewhat. Combine egg and milk of Glaze; brush onto dough. Cover; let rise in a warm place until indentation remains after touching, about 30 to 45 minutes. Brush again with Glaze; liberally sprinkle sugar over top. Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 45 minutes until golden brown. Remove from pan; cool on rack.
Icing
Combine Icing ingredients; drizzle over cooled loaf.
*You can substitute Instant (fast-rising) in place of Active Dry Yeast in your recipes. When using Instant Yeast, expect your dough to rise faster. Always let your dough rise until ripe. Use equal amounts when baking using traditional methods. When using the Bread Machine, use 1/2 tsp Instant Yeast OR 3/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast per cup of flour in your recipe. Visit our Lessons in Yeast & Baking for more information on baking.