Cranberry–Golden Raisin Bread with Cardamom

Scandinavian raisin breads always have a favorite spice added—cardamom. It is surprising that a spice that is native to the Malabar coast of India is so ingrained in a baking tradition so far away from where it is grown. Cardamom was popular in the time of the early Greeks and Romans, perfuming many of their honey breads. It is the third most costly spice, after saffron and vanilla. You can crush your own cardamom seeds between sheets of waxed paper with a rolling pin. For this recipe, you