Bread Machine Swedish Coffee Bread

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1 (.25 ounce) envelope active dry yeast
• 2 egg whites, slightly beaten
• pearl sugar, or other decorative sugar

Steps

1. Place milk, butter, egg yolk, salt, flour, sugar, cardamom, and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle and press Start according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. When dough cycle has finished, divide dough into 3 equal portions. Roll each portion into a rope, 12- to 14-inches long. Lay 3 dough ropes side by side; braid together. Tuck ends underneath, place onto a greased baking sheet, cover loosely with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in volume.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. Brush braid with beaten egg whites; sprinkle with pearl sugar. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.