Description
A delightful recipe for sweet cardamom buns that are soft, fragrant, and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, lukewarm
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup (65 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (56 grams) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 to 3 1/2 cups (390 to 455 grams) all-purpose flour
- Optional: Raisins, chocolate chips, or pearl sugar for topping
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
Instructions
- Start by activating your yeast. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine lukewarm milk with the sugar and yeast. Let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until foamy. This is your assurance that the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.
- Once the mixture is bubbly, stir in the melted butter, egg, cardamom, and salt. The cardamom brings an unmistakable aroma—floral, spicy, and a little citrusy. It’s the heart of this dough, so don’t skimp here.
- Gradually mix in the flour, starting with 3 cups. If the dough is still sticky, add more, a tablespoon at a time. You want a soft, slightly tacky dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Knead it for about 8–10 minutes by hand or 5–6 minutes with a stand mixer using the dough hook, until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 hours, or until doubled in size. This is when the kitchen starts smelling like anticipation—like something wonderful is coming.
- Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 12–14 equal pieces. Shape each into a smooth ball and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the tops with beaten egg for that glossy, golden finish. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until beautifully golden brown and cooked through.
- Let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them plain or split with butter and jam, as many Norwegians do.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the milk is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- These buns can be frozen for later enjoyment.
- Feel free to experiment with different toppings like icing or glaze for added sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Norwegian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 grams
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 grams
- Saturated Fat: 4 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 30 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 4 grams
- Cholesterol: 55 mg