How to make epic cinnamon buns according to ScandiKitchen

So much hygge

Real Cinnamon Buns by Bronte Aurell

Having a good recipe for kanelbullar is essential, because it’s the Scandi treat you will make over and over. Don’t forget to knead some love into the dough because it makes them extra-delicious.

Dough:

13 g dried yeast or 25 g fresh yeast

250 ml whole milk, heated to 36–37°C

80 g butter, melted and cooled slightly

40 g caster sugar

400–500 g white strong flour

2 teaspoons ground cardamom

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg, beaten

Filling:

80 g butter, at room temperature

1 teaspoon plain flour

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/2 teaspoon vanilla sugar

80 g caster sugar

beaten egg, for brushing

Topping:

3 tablespoons golden corn syrup (warmed) and nibbed ‘pearl’ sugar

2 baking sheets, greased and lined with baking parchment

MAKES 16

If using fresh yeast, add the warm milk to a mixing bowl and add the yeast; stir until dissolved, then pour into the bowl of the food mixer. If using dried yeast, pour the warm milk into a bowl, sprinkle in the yeast and whisk together. Cover with clingfilm and leave in a warm place for about 15 minutes to become bubbly.

Pour into the bowl of a food mixer fitted with a dough hook.

Mix in the cooled, melted butter. Allow to combine for 1 minute or so, then add the sugar.

In a separate bowl, weigh out 400 g of the flour, add the cardamom and salt and mix. Start adding the flour and spices into the milk mixture, bit by bit. Add half the beaten egg. Keep kneading for 5 minutes. You may need to add more flour – you want the mixture to end up a bit sticky. It's better not to add too much flour as this will result in dry buns. You can always add more later.

Cover the dough with cling film. Allow to rise for around 30 minutes or until it has doubled in size.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead through with your hands and work in more flour if needed. Roll out the dough to a 40 x 50 cm/16 x 20 inch rectangle.

In a bowl, add the butter, flour, spices and sugars and mix together well to make the filling. Using a spatula, spread the mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough. Fold the dough in half lengthways.

Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut 16 widthways strips of dough. Take one strip and carefully twist it a few times, then curl into a ‘knot’, ensuring both ends are tucked in or under so they do not spring open during baking. Place the folded ‘knots’ on the prepared baking sheets spaced well apart. Leave to rise under a kitchen cloth for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) Gas 6.

Brush each bun lightly with beaten egg and place in the preheated oven to bake for around 10–12 minutes or until golden.

Remove from the oven. Brush the warm buns lightly with syrup then decorate with the nibbed ‘pearl’ sugar.

Finally, immediately cover with a damp, clean cloth for a few minutes to prevent the buns from going dry.

ScandiKitchen: The Essence of Hygge by Bronte Aurell (Ryland Peters & Small, £9.99) Photography by Peter Cassidy