{"id":18928,"date":"2026-02-15T08:06:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T13:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homegardenjoy.com\/site\/?p=18928"},"modified":"2026-03-21T09:40:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T13:40:17","slug":"swedish-tea-bread","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homegardenjoy.com\/site\/2026\/02\/swedish-tea-bread.html","title":{"rendered":"Swedish Tea Bread"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I first made Swedish tea bread for my 50th birthday. Three of my friends have birthdays in the same month and invited me to their family group birthday celebration (they are all relatives). I shaped the bread into braided rings and decorated it with sliced almonds. It was a hit, and I have made it ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t bother with the almonds and braiding now, but if you like, you can braid it too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original recipe for this bread is in the Fannie Farmer Cookbook<\/a>. I have modified it slightly. The Fannie Farmer <\/a>Cookbook<\/a>\u00a0offers additional variations of the recipe, including a sweeter tea bread with raisins and cinnamon, and instructions for shaping<\/span> it into a tea ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This post contains Amazon affiliate links. We make a small commission when you purchase products. Thank you for supporting Home Garden Joy. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Use Saf Instant Yeast?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I recommend Red Star Saf Instant Yeast<\/a> over<\/span> the foil pouches of single-portion yeast you can buy at the grocery store. This bread recipe, and in fact all your bread baking adventures, will come out so much better when you use this yeast and actual bread flour, not white flour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saf Instant Yeast comes in a big block. Store the unused portion in the freezer. Place the entire block in a plastic bag, push down the top flap, and put a rubber band around it. Place it in a zip-lock bag. Use the yeast straight from the freezer whenever you want to bake. Keeping it in the freezer doesn’t harm the yeast, and it will stay fresh for many months, even years!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I find my breads just come out better with Saf Instant yeast. You can add it dry to the ingredients or activate it in warm water. I prefer to activate it. My breads have come out so much better when I switch to this yeast and to bread flour instead of all-purpose flour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bread Flour versus All-Purpose Flour for Swedish Tea Bread<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bread flour has a slightly higher protein content, approximately 12-14%, compared to all-purpose flour, which is 9-11%. This slightly higher protein content results in chewier, tastier bread. Protein helps build gluten, the structure within the bread. The higher the gluten, the chewier and crunchier the bread. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Swedish Tea Bread<\/h2>\n
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Swedish tea bread ia soft, subtly almond-flavored sweet bread that's perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea. <\/span><\/div>\n
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Prep Time <\/span>2 hours<\/span><\/span> hrs<\/span> 30 minutes<\/span><\/span> mins<\/span><\/span><\/div>
Cook Time <\/span>45 minutes<\/span><\/span> mins<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
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Ingredients
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