Makes 2

Also called pulla or nisu, these braided loaves are scented with cardamom, used in pastries across many Nordic cultures. The sweet yeast dough can be braided and baked in loaf pans or made into a ring. Buy ground cardamom or green cardamom pods. Crush the pods and remove the little black seeds. Place them in a mortar and pestle and pulverize into a powder. It makes an aromatic addition to the bread, well worth the effort. Stale bread turns into delicious French toast, sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar. The bread comes from a good home baker in Milwaukee.