Pulla

Pulla is a traditional Finnish sweet bread flavored with cardamom.

Ingredients - Serves 12

In a small saucepan, heat the milk until warm (about 110°F).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, melted butter, egg, cardamom, and salt. Stir well to combine.
Sprinkle the yeast over the milk mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
Gradually add the flour to the mixture, stirring well after each addition, until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round bun.
Place the buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
Brush the buns with beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with pearl sugar.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Remove from the oven and let the buns cool on a wire rack before serving.