I traveled to Sweden recently, Stockholm to be exact. I discovered my love for kanelbullar aka Swedish Cinnamon Buns. Some of my favorites were at the amazing Saluhall food hall in central Stockholm Ostermalm district and I had to recreate them when I returned home.
1/2cupunrefined granulated sugarplus a pinch for the yeast
1largeeggplus 1 egg yolk
2teaspoonsvanilla bean paste or extract
3teaspoonsground cardamom
2teaspoonskosher salt
For The Dough:
31/2 to 4 cupsunbleached all-purpose flourplus more for rolling the dough
1stick (8 tablespoons)unsalted butterroom temperature
1/4cuppacked light brown sugar
1tablespoonground cinnamon
1teaspoonground cardamom
1teaspoonvanilla bean paste or extract
pinchkosher salt
For The Glaze:
1/4cuppacked light brown sugar
1teaspoonvanilla bean paste or extract
1teaspoonground cinnamon
1/2teaspoonground cardamom
Toasted sliced almondsor pearl sugar, for garnish
Instructions
Make The Foam: Heat milk to 110° to 115°F degrees, then combine with the yeast and a pinch of granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Set aside until foamy, about 5 to 10 minutes.Add the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, the egg and egg yolk, 2 teaspoons of the vanilla, 2 teaspoons of the cardamom, and 2 teaspoons of the salt, then whisk until eggs are broken up and well combined.
Start The Dough: Slowly add 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour to the stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and knead until a soft silky dough forms. (Only add as much flour as you need. The dough should be tacky, silky, and slack enough that it slightly falls on itself when you set it down.If the dough is sticking to your hands after 3 1/2 cups, add the remaining 1 cup flour in 2 tablespoons intervals until you have the desired consistency.) Mix in 4 tablespoons of the room temperature butter a few pieces at a time until well incorporated. Shape dough into a ball tucking the ends under so the top surface is smooth.
Let The Dough Rise: Lightly spray a clean bowl with nonstick spray and roll the dough ball in oil. Cover with plastic wrap or damp kitchen towel, set in a warm place, and allow to rise until doubled; about 45 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to form the cinnamon rolls, prepare the filling by combining the remaining 4 tablespoons of room temperature butter, 1/4 cup of the light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of the ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla bean paste, and a pinch of salt. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
Form The Cinnamon Rolls: Heat oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough a 12-inch-by-18-inch rectangle. Spread the butter-sugar mixture over the rectangle all the way to the edge.Along the 18-inch side, mark the dough every 6 inches, then use those marks as a guide to gently fold the dough in thirds onto itself, so it’s like a closed business letter. Turn the dough so the seam is in front of you and the open ends are to your right and left.
Trim the edge of the dough slightly so the rectangle is even, then using a very sharp knife or pastry wheel, slice the dough lengthwise into 2 centimeter long strips (you should have about 16 to 18). To form a knotted roll, loop the two times rope over your first two fingers, then fold it under to tie it into a knot (check out Fix Feast Flair for pictures on how to tie the rolls). Let dough rise 30 minutes at room temperature.
Make The Spiced Sugar Glaze: While the buns are rising, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of light brown sugar with 1/4 cup water, remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or a vanilla bean split lengthwise), the remaining 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (or a 3-inch cinnamon stick), and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom (or 3 crushed cardamom pods). Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve, then sugar, then remove from heat.
Bake The Cinnamon Buns: When the rolls are ready to bake, brush tops of each with the spiced simple syrup, then sprinkle with pearl sugar or sliced almonds. Bake cinnamon rolls in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom and almonds are toasted. Remove from oven, and brush again with the simple syrup; cool slightly before serving.