FINNISH COFFEEBREAD "PIZZA" Recipe

FINNISH COFFEEBREAD "PIZZA"

This old-fashioned quick and delicious coffeebread has be by Finnish bakers for generations! The "pizza" part is my own idea because that's just how this coffeecake is made. The yeast dough is rolled out on a baking sheet, the toppings go on, it rises a bit and is baked. Saturday is usually baking day in a Finnish household. Often, a Finnish homemaker will take a portion of the Pulla dough and roll it out, spread it with toppings, and bake it for morning coffee. This recipe is perfect for a large crowd or coffee open house. It freezes well cut into squares and stacked in plastic containers ready to reheat and serve. * Makes 2, coffeecakes, 16 x n inches     

2 packages active dry yeast 1\2 cup warm water, 105°F to 115°F 1 egg 1\2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt

 1 cup milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm  1\2 cup softened or melted butter  4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

TOPPING AND DECORATION

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1 cup blanched almonds 1 cup sugar 1\2 cup softened butter 1\2 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup sliced or slivered almonds 1 cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoons milk

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let stand 5 minutes.

Add the egg, sugar, salt, and milk. Stir in the butter and 2. cups of the flour.

Beat until smooth. Add the remaining flour and beat again until smooth.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

To prepare the topping, grind the almonds in a food chopper with fine blade, or place in a food processor with steel blade in place.

Process until pulverized. Add the sugar, butter, and flour and process until mixture is a smooth paste.

Preheat oven to 4OO°F. Grease two 17 x 14-inch cookie sheets. Divide dough into 2 parts and place each on a cookie sheet. Pat out to rectangles 16 x 12, inches. Spread each with half the topping mixture. Sprinkle with additional sliced or slivered almonds. Bake for 2.0 minutes until crust is golden. Remove from oven and drizzle with icing made by mixing the powdered sugar and milk together. Serve immediately.

Also check our our best chex mix recipe