Julekake, Norwegian Christmas bread

Julekake, Norwegian Christmas bread

Baking

A traditional Norwegian cake, rich in butter and sugar, served in slices and buttered for Christmas celebrations.

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The “julekake” is a traditional Norwegian Christmas cake. Made with a recipe based on wheat flour, sugar, and butter, it is often served in slices and with butter. This cake is typically baked in a loaf shape.

Ingredients and directions

  • Prep time1 hr
  • Cook time35 min
  • Resting1 hr 30 min
  • Total3 hr 5 min
  • DifficultyMedium
  • CostBudget
  • Cooking methodfour
  • Estimated cost$4.60 $0.58 / serving Estimated price; varies by store. Converted from euros at the ECB rate of October 15, 2026.
  • Vegetarian

Ingredients

8 people
  • $0.40
  • $0.35
  • $0.69
  • $0.16
  • $0.53
  • $0.80
  • $1.27
  • $0.40

Prices from US supermarkets for 4 of 8 ingredients; Belgian prices for the rest.

Directions

  1. Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk. Add the melted butter, cardamom, and sugar. ≈ 4 min
  2. Gradually add the flour, mixing and kneading until a soft dough forms. ≈ 10 min
  3. Add the grapes and candied peel, and let it rise for about 45 minutes.
  4. Divide the dough in half and shape two round loaves, or place it in two loaf pans. ≈ 10 min
  5. Let it rise for another 40 to 50 minutes. Preheat the oven to 225 °C.
  6. Whisk the eggs and pour into a greased and floured baking dish. Bake in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or slightly longer if using a smaller dish.
  7. Let cool on a wire rack. Serve sliced, with butter.

The bill

Julekake, Norwegian Christmas bread

  • 50 g of fresh yeast$0.40
  • 350 ml of milk$0.35
  • 200 g of melted butter or margarine$0.69
  • 200 grams of sugar$0.16
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom (approximately 2g)$0.53
  • 500 g of wheat flour$0.80
  • 150 to 180 grams of grapes$1.27
  • 1 egg beaten for browning$0.40

Total$4.60

that's $0.58 per person

Estimated price; varies by store.

Before you start

Ingredients

  • 50 g of fresh yeast
  • 350 ml of milk
  • 200 g of melted butter or margarine
  • 200 grams of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom (approximately 2g)
  • 500 g of wheat flour
  • 150 to 180 grams of grapes
  • 30 to 45 grams of candied citrus peel (3 to 4 tablespoons)
  • 1 egg beaten for browning

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