Twice, I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Rowleys Bay Resort in Door County, Wisconsin, cheering at the plume of smoke that arose into the sky from the famous Fish Boil. Twice, I’ve enjoyed a slice (or two) of the tender, delicious Swedish Cardamom Coffee Cake at dinner, presented by Owner and Manager, Jewel Peterson Ouradnik. Both times, she has offered the recipe but this time I was smart enough to take her up on that kind offer so I can make this wonderful treat at home. Graciously, Jewel has allowed me to share the recipe with our Real Food Traveler readers. Thank you, Jewel! Enjoy this coffee cake recipe that is more the texture of cardamom bread than a traditional crumbly cake. It’s addictive! 

Jewel Peterson Ouradnik, owner and manager of Rowleys Bay Resort, holds a platter of her delicious Swedish Cardamom Coffee Cake.

Swedish Cardamom Coffee Cake Recipe

Available at Grandma’s Swedish Bakery at Rowleys Bay Resort, Door County Wisconsin

Learning to bake at my mother Alice Peterson’s side was how the tradition of Grandma’s Swedish Bakery began. This cardamom coffee cake was her original recipe. If you’ve never tried to make yeast dough, it’s never too late to learn! Find a friend that may have some experience to enjoy making this recipe together. – Jewel Peterson Ouradnik, Owner/Manager, Rowleys Bay Resort/Grandma’s Swedish Bakery

Coffee Cake Dough

2 cups milk

½ cup butter

2 tsp salt

½ cup sugar

1 TBS active dry yeast

2 large eggs

5 cups flour, may need up to 1 cup more

Oil to cover dough

1½ TBS ground cardamom

3 TBS heavy cream or half & half

Cardamom Sugar

¼ cup sugar

½ tsp ground cardamom

Method:
Warm milk and butter together in saucepan until butter is softened and not too hot. In mixing bowl combine milk/butter mixture, salt, sugar and yeast; set aside until yeast is dissolved. Then add eggs, half the flour and beat well. Gradually add remaining flour and continue mixing dough for at least 10 minutes in mixer or until dough is sticky and pulls away from the side of the bowl.

Knead dough on floured surface until dough is smooth and not sticky. Place into oiled bowl and oil the top of the dough so it doesn’t dry out. Cover with a towel and put in a warm place until dough doubles in size.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and press into a square shape. Sprinkle with ground cardamom and fold top half over bottom half so that cardamom is between the dough layers.

Roll dough back to a square. Cut in two; then cut each section vertically into 3 even strands but keep joined at the very top, start point of the braid. Gently stretch each strand and braid dough into an even braid. Scrunch to 10 inches on greased cookie sheet. Dough should rise until double in size. Baste with cream and sprinkle cardamom sugar across braid. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes until golden brown and light touch leaves no indentation.

Yield: 2 loaves which freeze well. Defrost, slice, wrap in foil and put in oven at 250 degrees for 15 minutes; serve warm. It’s as yummy as the day you made it!

You could make this Swedish Cardamom Coffee Cake completely by hand. But why when an electric mixer will help with both the mixing and kneading process. Photo courtesy Pixabay.com.

Hungry for more? Watch the video that shows you what the Fish Boil is like at Rowleys Bay Resort and see what else there is to do in Door County, Wisconsin. Then, plan a trip to Door County with the help of TripAdvisor.

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