Swedish Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbulle)
Cinnamon buns! Fluffy, flavored and sweet, they are perfect for serving with a strong coffee on chilly Sundays spent at home.
Ingredients · Servings 12
- 260 ml milk
- 40 g sugar
- 5 g dry yeast
- 100 g butter
- 1 tsp cardamom (freshly ground)
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 400 g all-purpose flour
- 75 g soft butter
- 50 g sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- granulated sugar
Method · 2 h 10 min
- Heat the milk to 37°C/98° F, add the yeast and sugar. Allow the yeast to activate.
- Once the yeast has formed a foam on the surface of the milk, add the vanilla essence, cardamom, and flour. Knead the dough, incorporating the soft butter and salt. A planetary mixer is life changing when it comes to doughs 😊
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a foil/shower cap and let it rise for an hour in a warm place.
- When the dough has doubled its volume, roll it out into a rectangular sheet with an even thickness of ~1 cm (~1/2 inch).
- Mix the butter, sugar, and cinnamon and spread it over the dough sheet.
- Roll the dough lengthwise and cut the roll into twelve 4 cm (1½ inch) thick pieces with a sharp knife.
- Transfer the rolls to a parchment paper-lined pan and cover with a towel. Leave to rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180° C/356° F, top and bottom heating.
- Brush the rolls with egg, sprinkle with granulated sugar, and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.
- Eat the rolls hot or cold with a good cup of milky coffee.
In Sweden and Finland, October 4 has been a national holiday for more than 20 years. On Kanelbullens dag, or Cinnamon Bun Day, both Swedes and Finns honor their home baking traditions. This custom is incredibly wholesome, though it is clearly a commercial creation.
However, in a world as rushed and complicated as the one we live in today, taking time to remind people of the simplicity of life at home is as necessary as it is vital. For one day at least, time stands still and everyone can relax as they gather round to roll cinnamon buns. Savor those moments.
Enjoy this traditional Swedish cinnamon bun recipe!
- Planetary mixer
- oven