Super Swedish Cinnamon Buns, perfect to save time, show off for guests, or make your kids really happy. They great for anyone’s afternoon fika.
Living in the UK has some distinct benefits, especially in the field of entertainment. While I might have to wait a few days/weeks to get some of the latest North American series, I do get access to British series long before they make their way across the Atlantic. That’s right, I knew for months how Downton Abbey would end. More importantly, last week we had the return of the Great British Bake Off (or the Great British Baking Show on PBS). Inspired by this I decided to make a batch of Super Swedish cinnamon buns for a relaxing afternoon fika, a tradition we would all be good to emulate.
Ever go to IKEA and see visit the food hall? Of course, you have, we all have. We’ve all gone to the pick and mix too, and bought the meatballs and packs of gravy. Chances are you’ve bought the frozen Cinnamon buns, and why wouldn’t you? They bake quickly and provide you with a great breakfast addition. This recipe isn’t a replica, they are an improvement. These Swedish cinnamon buns are great for anyone’s afternoon fika.
Making cinnamon buns can sound easy, but have probably frustrated a great many of you. The most common culprit, the uncooked centre. You know what I mean, the gooey mixture of sugar, cinnamon and raw dough. It is not pleasant. Especially when the edge of the buns are so crispy they are close to burnt. There is a good reason for this, we use too much butter and cinnamon sugar in our filings and/or we try to have too many rolls. The reality is, less it really more.
These buns have flavour in two ways. First is the dough, and it is using a classic Swedish spice, cardamom, which while flavourful on its own also compliments cinnamon. Then the filling, the cinnamon and brown sugar, while used sparingly, packs a rich calming punch.
The greatest joy with these tasty buns though, before you let them rise a second time you can freeze them and use as you see fit for as breakfast treats or an afternoon fika. Perfect to save time, show off for guests, or make your kids really happy.
As this is a family-focused, and fun post, I’m adding it to Angie’s Fiesta Friday! Also, check out the co-hosts for this week, Jhuls and Suzanne.
Now, for some pairings for these Super Swedish cinnamon buns
Pairings
Drinks
Good coffee, in our house it is Pact Coffee (click the link to get £3 off) or if I can I get Dunkin Donuts (yes, Dunkin Donuts) coffee, serious, I do love DD coffee!
Music
It’s Swedish, so it’s gotta be ABBA, give me some Dancing Queen and toss on Mamma Mia. That or possibly Mans Zelmerlow.
Super Swedish Cinnamon Buns
Ingredients
Dough
- 110 g butter
- 400 ml milk
- 1 packet of instant yeast 7g
- 700 g of strong bread flour
- 60 g caster sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cardamom seeds
- 2 cardamom pods
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Filling
- 100 g butter
- 50 g granulated sugar
- 50 g light brown sugar
- 4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom seeds
Topping
- 1 beaten Egg
- Pearl sugar
Instructions
- Melt the butter, so it is warm but not boiling. Take off the heat. Add the cardamom pods and milk, and let steep for 10min and then remove the pods.
- In a mixing bowl, add all dry ingredients and give a stir. Carefully add the butter/milk mixture. Bring together and then knead for 5-10 minutes. It’ll be tacky, so place into a greased bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise for one hour.
- Make the filling by combining all ingredients. Use the creaming attachment on a mixer, or use beaters to get a fluffy butter. Also use this time to prep two baking sheets with parchment for the oven.
- When the dough it ready, cut it half. On a large floured surface, roll each half into a large square of 30 cm X 45 cm. Using your fingers, spread half the butter mixture on each half of the dough. Go edge to edge. Should be a thin layer.
- Carefully roll the dough, so you have a 45 cm sausage. Using a knife or dough scraper, cut into about 1 inch rolls. Place these right onto the prepared pan (if freezing, freeze now!). Let rise for 45min, and turn your oven on to 225C to heat up.
- Before placing in the oven, paint each bun with egg wash and sprinkle with the pearl sugar. Bake for about 10-12 minutes (watch your oven), you want them to have a golden crust. Cool, and enjoy!
You’ve got my attention now, Matt! I love a good cinnamon roll…seriously. I could put down a batch of cinnamon rolls in no time flat. And yes, I have definitely bought some of the cinnamon rolls from IKEA. Those things are dangerous to keep around the house! I like the addition of cardamom in your version…I can see how that would be a great spice to add in here. Oh, and I clicked on the Amazon link to Dunkin Donuts coffee. Woah…that price! There is literally a DD on almost every corner here. (Great coffee…terrible doughtnuts!) If you want me to mail you some beans, lemme know. It usually runs about $6-7 per pound…so ~1/4 of the price of Amazon if I did my math right. 🙂
Haha, you very well might be getting an email from me then. Anytime I have family or friends coming from the states they are required to bring me a bag. I don’t know why I like their coffee so much, but it is a real treat!
These look so delicious! I bet the cardamom adds such a nice difference in these rolls. I kind of don’t mind the gooey centers as long as I have a cinnamon roll! 🙂 Thanks so much for bringing these to Fiesta Friday!
Thanks Shari!
Love this recipe!
Great tips to avoid the gooey uncooked middle!
The pear sugar on top looks amazing!
Thanks
Michelle
I just love love love cinnamon buns, and these a picture perfect. That pearl sugar on the top is so festive too. Happy FF!
Thanks! Happy Fiesta Friday to you too! Er, well Thursday now!
Not only the filling has a flavour, but also the dough itself. Sounds very interesting, Matt. I am glad that you brought these delicious looking buns at this week’s FF. I hope you will stay longer and have a good time. 🙂
Thanks Jhuls, I do love Fiesta Friday, great recipe ideas!
They sound amazing, Matt! Cardamom is one of my all-time favourite spices.I will have to get to work on these very soon. Btw, we over here in NA are just a bit resentful that you get to see the likes of Downton Abbey before the rest of us… even before we get to order the DVD for that matter – what’s up with that? 😀
I agree, cardamom is a brilliant spice for both sweet and savoy! ?
Since I am half Swedish by heritage, I shall have to try these cinnamon buns. They certainly look super!
What a nice twist on cinnamon rolls – I use sourdough in mine. Cardamon in the dough and filling has to taste delicious!
Sourdough would be a brilliant addition to these I think!
Love cardamom and cinnamon rolls so I know I’m going <3 this recipe!
These look great!
Thanks!
These look crazy good Matt! I’m a huge cinnamon bun fan, so I’ll most definitely be trying these out! LOVE the hint of cardamon!