Are you ready to embark on a delightful baking journey? Indulge your senses with the enticing aroma of freshly baked Swedish Coffee Bread. Made with whole milk, white sugar, and a touch of aromatic cardamom, this recipe will transport you to a cozy kitchen filled with warmth and joy. Each slice is a heavenly combination of flavors that will leave you craving for more. If you have a passion for Homemade Bread Recipes, this Swedish coffee bread is a must-try!

Here is a delicious coffee bread you can make at the holidays or anytime you are having company or a special occasion. It’s actually very similar to cinnamon buns but a bit more fancy. This is also a more dignified to eat in public if you are over the age of 10. Cinnamon buns are delicious and all but not the most dignified thing in the world to eat!
I promise, this bread really is fool-proof. It looks hard, but when you see my photos and then see the final result you won’t believe how well it came out. Imagine putting a cute little red bow on it to make it look like a wreath!

What is Swedish Coffee Bread?
Swedish coffee bread, or vetebröd, is a classic sweet yeast bread perfect with coffee or tea. Originating from Sweden, it’s a holiday staple in many homes. But why wait for a special occasion? This tasty treat is great anytime!
What Ingredients are Needed to Make this Bread?
To whip up this delicious homemade bread, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Whole Milk: The higher fat content adds a creamy luxury to the bread, enhancing its taste and indulgence. It also helps create a tender crumb that just melts in your mouth with each bite.
- White Sugar: It not only boosts flavor but also helps with the texture and overall appeal. As the yeast does its thing, the sugar feeds it, making those fluffy strands of bread.

- Active Yeast: This little microorganism eats up the sugars in the dough and releases carbon dioxide gas, making the bread rise. This gives the bread its light and airy texture that we love.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour hits the sweet spot with its balance of protein content and gluten development. With about 10-12% protein, it provides enough strength for the bread to rise while keeping it tender and light.
- Egg: They make the dough rich and moist, resulting in a soft, tender bread. The proteins in eggs strengthen the bread’s structure, creating a good crumb and keeping it from being too dense.
- Salt: It doesn’t just boost the bread’s flavor; it also helps control yeast activity. By keeping yeast fermentation in check, salt ensures the dough rises evenly and consistently.
- Ground Cardamom: This warm and slightly citrusy spice adds a delightful complexity to the bread, elevating its taste to new heights. The unique flavor profile of cardamom is highly cherished in Scandinavian baking traditions and is an essential component in capturing the authentic taste of Swedish coffee bread.

- Melted Butter: When mixed into the dough, it adds richness, making the bread moist and tender. Plus, the fat in melted butter keeps the bread soft and stops it from getting too dense.
- Brown Sugar: This magical ingredient gives Swedish coffee bread a rich, caramel-like flavor, making it even more enjoyable. The molasses in brown sugar not only boosts the bread’s aroma but also keeps it moist and tender.
- Cinnamon: Its earthy and slightly sweet notes create a balanced flavor, making each bite irresistible. Whether mixed into the dough or swirled into the filling, cinnamon brings its comforting essence to the bread, turning it into a true treat.
- Golden Raisins: These plump, golden gems bring a burst of natural sweetness and a hint of tanginess to every bite. As they bake, the raisins become tender and juicy, infusing the bread with their unique flavor.
- Slivered Almonds: These thinly sliced almonds add a delightful crunch to every bite, perfectly balancing the soft and tender bread. They not only bring a satisfying nuttiness but also a subtle hint of sweetness that blends well with the other ingredients.
- Almond Paste: Its smooth, velvety texture blends perfectly with the other ingredients, filling the bread with a lovely almond essence. As it bakes, the almond paste melts and mixes in beautifully, creating pockets of indulgent almond flavor throughout each slice.

Amazing Wreath Bread Recipes
- Nutella Wreath Bread Recipe
- Holiday Wreath Bread Recipe
- Crescent Roll Wreath with Brie and Cranberry Recipe
- Maple Pecan Wreath Bread
Do I Need Special Equipment to Make the Bread?
Not at all! Making Swedish Coffee Bread doesn’t require any special equipment. You can easily whip up this delicious treat using basic kitchen tools that you likely already have. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mixing Bowls: Use large mixing bowls to combine and knead the dough. It’s helpful to have both a smaller and larger bowl for different stages of the process.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are important for achieving the perfect balance of flavors. Use measuring cups and spoons to portion out the ingredients.
- Whisk or Wooden Spoon: A whisk or wooden spoon is essential for thoroughly combining the ingredients and forming the dough.

- Baking Sheet or Pans: You’ll need a baking sheet or pans to shape and bake the bread. Make sure they’re appropriately sized to accommodate the dough.
With these basic kitchen essentials, you’re all set to embark on your Swedish Coffee Bread baking adventure. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked bread!
Delicious Homemade Bread Recipes
- Surprise Panettone Bread in a Coffee Can
- Holiday Peppermint Bark Bread Recipe
- Cinnamon Star Bread
- Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Recipe
How Should I Store the Bread?
Once you’ve baked your delicious Swedish Coffee Bread, you’ll want to ensure it stays fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible. Here are some tips on storing your bread:
- Room Temperature: If you plan to consume the bread within a day or two, you can store it at room temperature in a bread box or wrapped in foil or plastic wrap. This will help retain its moisture and prevent it from drying out.
- Freezing: To extend the shelf life, you can freeze your Swedish Coffee Bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer bag, ensuring all air is removed. Frozen bread can last for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it at room temperature or gently warm it in the oven.

- Slicing and Individual Wrapping: If you prefer to portion your bread for convenience, you can slice it and individually wrap the slices. This way, you can easily grab a slice whenever you crave a delicious treat.
With these simple tips, you can savor the delicious flavors of your freshly baked Swedish Coffee Bread for longer. Whether you leave it at room temp, freeze it for later, or slice and wrap it individually, each bite will be just as tasty as the first. So go ahead, whip up another batch of this yummy bread and enjoy the cozy aroma and flavor.

Swedish Coffee Bread
Here is a delicious coffee bread you can make at the holidays or anytime you are having company or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 cup golden raisins (optional)
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds (optional)
- 1/4 cup almond paste (optional)
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
Dough
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 packages (4 1/2 teaspoons) active yeast
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup (4 oz) butter
- About 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast into warm water and let sit for five minutes. Put milk into a small saucepan and heat on medium heat until steamy (but not boiling). Remove from heat. Stir in the butter and sugar until the butter has melted and the sugar dissolved. Pour into a mixing bowl. Mix in yeast mixture and egg.
- Mix in salt and cardamom. Slowly add in 2 cups of the flour. After the first two cups of flour gradually add more flour until a soft dough starts to form a ball and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Turn out onto a floured surface and knead dough for 7 to 10 minutes until smooth, OR use a dough hook in a stand-up mix- er and knead the dough that way for 7 to 10 minutes, adding more flour as needed to keep the dough from being too sticky.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, covered with a clean towel or with plastic wrap. Let rise for an hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Press the dough down to deflate it a bit. Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. Take one part and roll it into a 8-inch by 16-inch rectangle on a lightly floured, clean, flat surface.
- Brush the dough with melted butter, leaving at least a half inch border on the edges so the dough will stick together when rolled. Mix together the brown and white sugar and the cinnamon and sprinkle the dough with half of the mixture.
- Carefully roll the dough up lengthwise, with the seam on the bottom. Carefully transfer to a greased baking sheet. Form a circle with the dough on the baking sheet, connecting the ends.
- Using scissors, cut most of the way through the dough, cutting on a slant. Work your way around the dough circle. After each cut, pull out the dough. (It doesn't have to be perfect as you can see in the photos!)
- Cover lightly with plastic wrap and set in a warm area for a second rise. Let rise for about 40 minutes to an hour; the dough should again puff up in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Whisk together the egg yolks and cream. Use a pastry brush to brush over the dough. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes. After the first 15 minutes of baking, if the top is getting well browned, tent with some aluminum foil.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely. Whisk together glaze and drizzle over the pastry.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.