Description
These Orange Cardamom Buns offer a delightful blend of zesty orange and warm cardamom, wrapped in soft, buttery, twisted dough. Perfectly sweetened and topped with a fragrant glaze, these buns make an exquisite treat for breakfast, brunch, or tea time.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2/3 cup milk, warmed to around 100-110°F
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet, 8 g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose or bread flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
Filling
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 1/2 tsp orange zest
- Pinch of salt
Topping and Glaze
- 1 egg, for egg wash
- Turbinado sugar or regular sugar, for sprinkling
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 3–5 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare yeast mixture: Heat the milk until warm to the touch (100-110°F). Stir in the yeast and a small pinch of sugar. Allow to activate if needed as per yeast package instructions.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a food processor with a dough blade (or stand mixer bowl), whisk together the egg, egg yolk, remaining sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cardamom.
- Combine yeast and wet mixture: Add the yeast-milk mixture to the egg mixture, stirring to combine thoroughly.
- Form dough: Add the flour and mix until a rough dough forms.
- Add butter and knead: Gradually add softened butter to the dough, mixing for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add flour sparingly if sticky. The dough should be soft but not sticky. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Prepare filling: In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, cardamom, orange zest, and pinch of salt until smooth. Set aside.
- Roll out dough: Once risen, roll dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12″x17″ rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
- Spread filling and fold: Spread filling evenly over half the dough. Fold the other half over the filling to form a sandwich.
- Cut and twist strips: Cut the folded dough into 12 strips, about 1 inch wide. Twist each gently and wrap around two fingers twice, tucking ends to secure.
- Arrange and second rise: Place buns on parchment-lined baking sheets, six per pan, space evenly. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for 45 minutes.
- Prepare glaze: In a bowl, whisk together icing sugar, cardamom, orange zest, kosher salt, and orange juice 1 tablespoon at a time until drizzle consistency is reached.
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) with rack in the middle.
- Egg wash and sugar: Brush risen buns with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake: Bake buns for 10-12 minutes until golden brown, turning tray halfway through. Bake one tray at a time.
- Cool: Let buns cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle cooled buns with glaze. Serve warm or at room temperature with favorite hot drinks.
- Make ahead option: After second rise, buns can be refrigerated overnight. Bake fresh the next morning for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using a food processor, stand mixer, or mixing by hand is possible but may affect timing.
- If dough is sticky during kneading, add flour slowly to avoid dryness.
- Ensure milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing yeast.
- Turbinado sugar adds crunch to the topping but regular sugar works as well.
- Glaze consistency is key; add orange juice incrementally to avoid overly runny glaze.
- Refrigerating shaped buns overnight allows baking fresh in the morning with excellent results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Scandinavian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Orange Cardamom Buns, Swedish Buns, Sweet Buns, Orange Zest, Cardamom, Twisted Buns, Breakfast Pastry
