My Yummy Creations: Finnish Pulla Bread

This bread has freshly grounded cardamom and has a nice taste to it. It was my first time eating this (and making), it turned out pretty good. It was also fun to make! except the part where i had to go to school at 8:00am.......
well, I made a 4 braid, Grace made a 5 braid and Michelle made a 3 braid
The even number braids are much harder then the odd

Ingredients:

- Milk (250 ml)
- Warm water (60 ml)
- White sugar (5 ml)
- Yeast (8 ml)
- White sugar (60 ml)
- Salt (3 ml)
- Ground cardamom (3ml)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- all- purpose flour (1 L)
- Margarine or butter, melted (60 ml)
- 1 egg, beaten
- course white sugar (15 ml)

Method:
1) Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Let cool until lukewarm.

2) Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and the 5 ml sugar. Stir in the lukewarm milk, 60 ml sugar, salt, cardamom, eggs and enough flour to make a sticky batter. Add the melted butter and stir well. Beat again until the dough looks glossy. Stir in the remaining flour until the dough is slightly sticky.

3) 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 hr. Punch down, and let rise again until almost doubled.

4) Turn out again on to a floured surface and divide into 4 parts. Divide each third into 3 again. Roll each piece a strip. Braid 3 strips into a loaf. Lift the braids onto greased baking sheets. Let rise for 20 minutes.

5) Brush each loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.

6) Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 min. Check occasionally because the bottom burns easily.