Cardamom Easter Braid

I love the look, the enticing aroma, and the flavor of this large sweet bread braid. Fresh-ground cardamom has been a favorite of mine ever since my baker-friend Judy Larsen introduced me to it thirty years ago when she gave me her mother’s Scandinavian white bread recipe delicately flavored with the spice. This is a variation of that bread. Judy would also top this braid with a confectioners’ sugar icing.