Yule Kaka
A festive, spiced sweet bread filled with dried fruits, perfect for holiday celebrations and loved by those who enjoy rich, aromatic flavors and traditional baking.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2/3 cup sugar ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed cardamom seed ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 2 packages granular yeast ⓘ
- 1/4 cup lukewarm water ⓘ
- 2 beaten eggs ⓘ
- 4 cups flour ⓘ
- 1 cup white raisins
- 2 cups mixed cherries and pineapple (glace), chopped
Instructions
- Combine milk, shortening, sugar, and spices in a saucepan and heat until warm; then cool to lukewarm.
- Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water and add to the mixture.
- Add beaten eggs and mix well.
- Gradually add flour and beat until smooth.
- Stir in white raisins, chopped glace cherries and pineapple, and remaining flour.
- Let the dough rise until double in bulk.
- Punch down the dough and knead lightly.
- Divide the dough into 3 loaves and place in greased pans.
- Let the loaves rise until double in bulk.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 45 minutes.
- While warm, brush the loaves with melted butter.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider substituting half of the shortening with unsalted butter. If you can't find mixed glace cherries and pineapple, you can use just one type of fruit or add dried apricots instead. Ensure your yeast is fresh for the best rise. A pinch of nutmeg can also enhance the spice profile.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Yule Kaka warm or at room temperature, ideally with a spread of butter or cream cheese. It pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee, making it a delightful breakfast or snack. Consider serving it alongside a refreshing Winter Vegetable Salad for a balanced meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Yule Kaka in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the loaves tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw at room temperature and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Yule Kaka contains roughly 1346 calories, with 25g protein, 251g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (109% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (93% of the Daily Value), and calcium (84% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2534mg per serving (110% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to add more fiber and a nutty flavor. However, you may need to adjust the liquid slightly since whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture.
How can I tell when the dough has risen enough?
The dough is ready when it has doubled in size and you can gently poke it with a finger; if the indentation remains, it’s ready to be punched down. This usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours in a warm environment.
What can I use instead of white raisins?
If white raisins are unavailable, you can substitute them with regular raisins or dried cranberries for a different flavor profile. Just ensure they are chopped if they are larger to maintain a similar texture in the bread.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).