What’s cooking? World recipes
KANELBULLE
If Sweden had a national food, it would, without doubt, be the cinnamon bun. It’s hard to avoid these delicious spiced rolls, which can be found in every café, bakery and food shop around the country –simply follow the scent of them baking.
Made from lightly sweetened, leavened bread dough known as vetebröd (wheat bread), they can also be flavoured with cardamom, saffron and vanilla. These spices are a common feature in Swedish baking and are said to have been brought back when Vikings first traded in Istanbul.
A kanelbulle is best served for a fika – the daily practice of sitting down with a coffee and something sweet.
Ingredients
For the buns:
- 3 cups (400 g/14 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50 g/1.7 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (7 g/0.25 oz) instant yeast
- 1 cup (240 ml) lukewarm milk
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick/56 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 1/3 cup (2/3 stick/75 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup (65 g) light brown/granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
To finish the buns:
- 1 beaten egg , for egg wash
- Pearl sugar , chopped almonds, or granulated sugar, to sprinkle on top, optional
Instructions
- Place flour, sugar, cardamom, and yeast in the bowl of a standing mixer and mix until combined. Attach dough hook to the mixer. Add milk and melted butter to the flour mixture and mix on low speed until dough comes together, 2-3 minutes. Add salt and continue mixing for another 8 minutes on low-medium speed until dough is soft and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Place dough in a large bowl brushed with oil, and toss to coat (the fat will keep the dough from drying out). Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place or on the counter for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size. Keep in mind that rising will be slower in cold weather.
- To make the filling: In a small bowl, combine soft butter, sugar, and cinnamon until you have a smooth paste.
- Shaping the dough (I followed this visual guide): On a lightly floured surface or non-stick silicone baking mat, roll dough out into 35x35cm (14×14-inch) square. Spread butter-sugar mixture onto entire surface, making a very thin layer. Fold dough into thirds like a business letter, then roll again into a rough 35x20cm (14×8-inch) rectangle.
- Facing the long edge, cut dough into roughly 2cm wide and 20cm long strips. Twist each strip several times, slightly stretching it as you do so. Grab one end of the twisted strip and coil the dough around your hand twice, then over the top. Coil dough again and tuck the loose end in at the bottom.
- Arrange buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (if they’re too crowded, use 2 pans), keeping as much space between them as possible. Cover and let rest for 45-60 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Meanwhile, set the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 350F/180C.
- Brush buns with an egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Allow buns to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Buns are best the same day they are made, but can be frozen for up to 2 months and reheated in the oven before serving.
If you’ve never tried it please make sure to ask for it when you travel to Scandinavia.
Check out more info here.
More about our Facebook Group
Travel platform to expand your travel knowledge, follow the latest destination news and participate in daily questions, like “Travel Trivia”, “Where in the World” and “Amazing Travel Facts”.
Table of Contents
Private Facebook group
for the travel industry
Travel Talks Platform Group
5.8k members
Travel Talks Platform for the travel industry
Follow the travel news – Traveltalksplatform is the number 1 news site to stay updated on amazing travel facts, the latest news, events, incentive ideas, MICE news, job opportunities and shows.
Specially composed for the travel industry, you will find the latest travel facts at your fingertips.
The latest airline news, hotel news, cruise news and MICE news in your inbox:
Stay updated about
the latest travel news worldwide