Swedish Cardamom Buns
Delicious buns with flavors of cardamon spice rolled together in a flavorful, layered, bun.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Whole Milk (120ml)
- 6 tbs Sugar (75g)
- 4 ½ tsp Active Dry Yeast (4g)
- 6 tbs Butter (85 g)
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Salt
- 4 cups Flour (500g)
- 2 tsp Cardamom
Filling
- 1 stick Butter (113g)
- ½ cup Sugar (50g)
Cardamon Sugar
- 2 Tbs Cardamon
- ⅓ cup Sugar
Egg Wash
- 1 Egg - Beaten
- 1 tbs Milk
- sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
Making the Dough
- Activate the Yeast: Gently warm the milk and the initial amount of sugar in a small saucepan over low heat until it reaches a temperature of 97ºF (36ºC). If you don't have a thermometer, it should feel just slightly warmer than your body temperature. Be careful not to overheat it, as hot milk can harm the yeast. If it gets too warm, allow it to cool before moving on.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine the yeast, the initial amount of sugar, and the warmed milk. Stir briefly to help the yeast dissolve. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes, or until you see small bubbles forming on the surface. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to go!
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Now, add the egg, softened butter, flour, cardamom, and salt to the mixer bowl. Start mixing on low speed until all the flour is incorporated and a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: ncrease the mixer speed to medium or medium-high and knead the dough for 10 to 15 minutes. You're looking for a dough that is smooth and slightly tacky to the touch. Keep in mind that the kneading time can vary depending on your mixer's power. If the dough still appears rough or tears easily when you try to stretch a small piece, continue kneading for a bit longer.
Proofing the Dough
- First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Preparing the Filling
- Butter Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix these ingredients together until they are well combined and creamy.
- Cardamom Sugar: In a separate small bowl, mix together the sugar and cardamom that will be used for the filling. Set aside a little of this mixture for sprinkling on top of the buns later.
Shaping the Buns
- Lightly flour a clean work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle that measures approximately 12 inches by 24 inches, with the shorter side facing you.
- Spread the prepared butter filling evenly over the entire surface of the dough.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of the cardamom sugar (the portion you didn't reserve) evenly over the butter filling.
- Fold one of the short ends towards the center, covering about one-third of the dough. Then, fold the opposite short end over the first fold, creating three layers. So it makes a 10x12 rectangle
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough lengthwise into strips about ¾-inch thick.
- Form the Buns: To shape the buns, take one strip and twist it a few times. Then, wrap it around two fingers, tucking the end underneath. Alternatively, you can tie the strip into a simple knot.
Second Proof
- Second Rise: Place the shaped buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let them rise again in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until nearly doubled in size.
Baking
- Prepare Egg Wash and Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk for the egg wash
- Bake the Buns: Gently brush the tops of the risen buns with the egg wash and sprinkle with pearl sugar, if desired. Bake for 12 minutes, or until the buns are deeply golden brown
Notes
A great place to rise bread is in your car! It doesn't even have to be a warm day. It was 65 degrees at my house the other day and these buns loved the inside of my car!
