Sweet Cardamom Bread with Honey Orange Butter Recipe

Introduction

This Sweet Cardamom Bread with Honey Orange Butter is a fragrant and tender loaf, perfect for breakfast or a special snack. The cardamom adds a warm spice note, while the honey orange butter brightens every bite with citrus sweetness.

Ingredients

• ½ cup warm water
• Pinch of sugar
• 2 tsp traditional active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• ½ cup honey
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 3 eggs, divided
• 5 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra
• 2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp salt
• Honey Orange Butter:
  • 2 sticks butter, softened
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • Zest of 1 orange

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the water to between 105°F and 115°F. Add the sugar and yeast. Stir briefly and set aside for about 5 minutes until the yeast is bubbly and risen.
2. Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine warm milk and honey, stirring to dissolve the honey. Add melted butter, 2 beaten eggs, and the yeast mixture; stir together.
3. Step 3: Add the flour, cardamom, and salt to the mixer. Mix on low speed until dough starts to come together, scraping down sides as needed. If sticky, add more flour a tablespoon at a time.
4. Step 4: Continue mixing on low speed for about 5 minutes until the dough is soft and stretchy. Remove and knead lightly into a smooth ball.
5. Step 5: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, rub a little oil on top, cover with cling film or tea towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled.
6. Step 6: Punch down the risen dough and transfer to a floured surface. Divide the dough in half and set one half aside.
7. Step 7: Divide one half into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a thick rope, then gradually stretch to about 1 inch in diameter. Taper the ends of each rope.
8. Step 8: Pinch the three ropes together by one tapered end and tuck under. Braid the ropes tightly, pinch and tuck the other ends under. Place the braid on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the second half of dough.
9. Step 9: Cover braids with tea towels and let rise again in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled.
10. Step 10: Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare egg wash by beating the remaining egg with a splash of water. Brush over the braids for a shiny golden crust.
11. Step 11: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. After 15 minutes, brush the white parts of the braid again with egg wash. The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. Step 12: Cool bread on a rack before slicing.
13. Step 13: For the honey orange butter, combine softened butter, honey, and orange zest in a bowl. Whip for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Serve immediately or refrigerate and bring to room temperature before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure water is at the right temperature for yeast activation.
• Add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the dough for extra texture.
• Substitute cardamom with cinnamon or nutmeg for a different spice profile.
• Serve the bread warm with the honey orange butter for best flavor.

Storage

Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the bread wrapped well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm slightly before serving. Keep the honey orange butter refrigerated and bring to room temperature before spreading.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand. It may take a bit more effort and time but is completely doable.

What if I don’t have cardamom?

If you don’t have cardamom, try substituting with cinnamon or nutmeg for a similar warm spice flavor.

Sweet Cardamom Bread with Honey Orange Butter Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 722 reviews

This Sweet Cardamom Bread with Honey Orange Butter recipe offers a fragrant, braided bread enriched with cardamom and honey for a subtly spiced, sweet flavor. Paired with a luscious whipped honey orange butter, it’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special treat.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 2 braided loaves (about 12 servings) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Scandinavian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sweet Cardamom Bread

• ½ cup warm water
• pinch sugar
• 2 tsp traditional active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm milk
• ½ cup honey
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 3 eggs, divided
• 5 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra as needed
• 2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp salt

Honey Orange Butter

• 2 sticks butter, softened (1 cup)
• 3 tbsp honey
• zest of 1 orange

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: Heat the water to between 105°F and 115°F. Add the pinch of sugar and yeast, stirring briefly. Set aside for about 5 minutes until the yeast becomes bubbly and rises, indicating it’s active.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook, combine warm milk and honey, stirring to dissolve the honey. Add melted butter, 2 beaten eggs, and the activated yeast mixture; mix well.
3. Add Dry Ingredients and Begin Dough Formation: Add the flour, ground cardamom, and salt into the mixer. Mix on low using the dough hook until the dough begins to come together, scraping down the sides as needed. Add extra flour a tablespoon at a time if too sticky.
4. Knead Dough: Continue mixing on low speed for about 5 minutes until dough is soft and stretchy. Remove dough and lightly knead on floured counter to form a smooth ball.
5. First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, rub a little oil over the surface, cover with cling film or tea towel, and set in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Prepare for Braiding: Punch down the risen dough to deflate. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and divide the dough in half. Set one half aside.
7. Shape Ropes: Take one half and divide into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope about an inch in diameter with tapered ends, working in stages for best results.
8. Braid Dough: Pinch the three ropes together at one tapered end and tuck under. Braid the three strands and pinch and tuck under the other tapered end to secure. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the other half of dough.
9. Second Rise: Cover the braided loaves with tea towels and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
10. Prepare Egg Wash and Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat the remaining egg with a splash of water to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash evenly over each braid for a golden, shiny crust.
11. Bake Bread: Bake braids for 25 to 30 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove from oven briefly to brush pale areas of the braid with egg wash to ensure even browning. Bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. Cool Bread: Transfer bread to a cooling rack and let cool completely before slicing.
13. Make Honey Orange Butter: In a mixing bowl, whip softened butter, honey, and orange zest with a mixer for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Serve immediately or refrigerate and bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

• If the dough is too sticky while mixing, add flour gradually, one tablespoon at a time, to avoid over-drying.
• Ensure water temperature for yeast activation is between 105°F and 115°F for best results; too hot can kill the yeast.
• For a more intense orange flavor in the butter, add a teaspoon of fresh orange juice along with the zest.
• Use parchment paper for easy transfer of braided bread to the baking sheet and prevent sticking.
• Allow bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent a gummy texture.
• Store honey orange butter covered in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before serving for best spreadability.

Keywords: cardamom bread, braided bread, honey orange butter, sweet bread, Scandinavian bread, breakfast bread, homemade bread