(3) Julekage

1 pkg yeast
¼ c warm water
¾ c lukewarm milk
¼ c sugar
½ t salt
½ t ground cardamom
1 egg
¼ c shortening
½ c raisins
1/3 c cut-up citron or mixed candied fruit
3¼ to 3½ c flour

Dissolve yeast in water. Add other ingredients and 2 c flour. Blend. Beat 2 minutes. Add remaining flour. Knead 4 minutes. Rise in bowl 1 to 1½ hours. Punch down. Shape into ball. Place in greased 9” cake pan; brush with butter. Let rise 45 minutes. Bake at 350F for 35 to 45 minutes until golden. Brush with butter. Glaze. Cool.

Glaze: Mix 1 c powdered sugar and 1 to 2 T water.

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This is a traditional Scandinavian Christmas bread. "Julekage" means "Christmas bread." It makes a yummy Christmas breakfast, especially warm and spread with real butter. Another of my mom's Christmas breakfast breads is Stollen, a German bread, but I can't find her recipe for it!