Swedish cinnamon rolls
Tender cinnamon rolls scented with floral cardamom, topped with European pearl sugar
Ingredients
Dough
- 2/3 cup milk whole milk 150 ml
- 3/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (organic) 50 g
- 1 egg beaten, divided in two equal portions
- 4 ounces butter (unsalted) 1 stick, divided use
- 1-1/2 tbsp cardamom (ground) use high quality, grind seed pods yourself if you can
Filling
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (organic)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon use Vietnamese cinnamon for best flavor
Glaze
- 2 tbsp pearl sugar see notes
Instructions
- Heat milk in microwave until warm to the touch but not hot. Stir in yeast and sugar. Let sit until you see bubbly foam on top (this tells you the yeast is alive).
- Beat the egg and divide into two portions. (A food scale is helpful here.)
- Divide the butter into two portions. Set aside one portion for the filling. Melt the other portion.
- In a large bowl (if you have a stand mixer, use this), combine the yeast mixture, half the beaten egg, melted butter, cardamom, and flour. Mix with the paddle or dough hook for 10 minutes. If you don't have a stand mixer, beat the dough with a wooden spoon until well-combined, then knead on the countertop for 10 minutes until smooth and pliable.
- Cover dough with a damp towel or plastic wrap on the bowl and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. Remaining butter should also be out at room temperature to soften.
- Roll out the dough into a rectangle about 1/8" (3mm) thick, and 12" (30cm) wide.
- Spread the softened butter evenly across the top.
- Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar with the cinnamon until one color, then sprinkle evenly over the butter.
- Starting at the long side, roll up as tightly as you can into a roll.
- Cut with a sharp knife into 12 pieces.
- Place each roll, cut side up, in a muffin tin lined with paper or silicone liners.
- Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until buns have at least doubled in size, about 2-1/2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 425ºF/220ºC.
- Brush tops of buns with the remaining beaten egg, then sprinkle with the pearl sugar.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown on top.
- Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
Pearl sugar is a compressed form of decorative sugar in small jagged chunks. It can be ordered online, or you can smash a few sugar cubes in a heavy plastic bag for the same effect. You could also use large-crystal demerara sugar.