• [24] cardamom pods, shell and grind seeds

• [3] sticks butter

• [3] c. milk

• [1.5] c. sugar 

• [3] t. salt

• [3] eggs

• [1] T. yeast (or 1 pkg.)

• white flour

• [1] c. each citron (you can get this at Christmas…it’s used in fruit cake) and raisins

Prepare cardamom

Heat milk and butter; stir in sugar, salt and cardemom and cool to luke warm in a large mixing bowl; add eggs and mix well.

Prepare yeast

[.5] cup luke warm water with a pinch of sugar; let proof 5 min. then add to above mixture when it has cooled down

• Add white flour to the point of an oatmeal-like consistancy; cover with a cloth and let rise to double (about 1 hr.)

• Add citron and raisin and stir well to distribute; add enough flour to make a stiff dough

• Turn out and knead well, adding flour as needed; let rise to double in an oiled bowl; knead, shape into loaves and let rise to nearly double;

• Bake in a preheated 350 deg. oven for 45 min. to 1 hr.; I check for done-ness by touching a licked index finger quickly and lightly to the bottom of each pan…a prompt hiss means it’s done

• Turn out on a rack to cool completely