Kardemummabullar (Swedish Cardamom Buns)

April 8th, 2020

I found this recipe on NYT Cooking, and after watching a few videos about them on Youtube, I was excited to try making them myself. There are various recipes online, but I suggest watching a video or two to learn how to wrap the buns. In Swedish, these buns are called Kardemummabullar, and they are famous in New York from Fabrique bakery!

I’ve decided that cardamom is my favorite spice. Nothing more to say about that.

These buns are buttery, soft, crinkly, all at once. Delightful.

Ingredients:

Dough

• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
• 4 cups AP flour
• 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp sugar
• 6 tbsp salted butter, softened
• 2 tsp ground cardamom

Filling

• 1/2 cup salted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp ground cardamom

Topping

• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp ground cardamom
• 3 tsp sugar

Note on cardamom: You may grind your own cardamom pods after removing the husk. I used a mortar and pestle, which took a lot of effort. I suggest using a spice grinder or Magic Bullet instead.

Directions:

1. Mix milk and yeast. Set aside for a few minutes and continue.
2. Combine flour, sugar, butter, cardamom, salt, and yeasted milk until just combined, then turn out onto the counter and work it by hand, for a total of 8 minutes.
3. Shape the dough into a large rectangular block on a sheet pan. Make 2–3 shallow slashes with a knife. Proof for 1 hour at room temperature.
4. For the filling, beat the butter, sugar, and cardamom until fluffy.
5. Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it is 1/8 inch thick. Letter fold then re-roll to the same thickness as before.
7. Dot the surface of the dough with filling, spread with an offset spatula.
8. Fold the dough by thirds, then roll out until at least 12 inches long.
9. Slice the dough into strips and wrap them into the desired shape. (find a video for instructions)
10. Place them on the sheet pans and rise uncovered for 1 hour.
11. Heat the oven to 450F.
12. Beat the egg with some milk or water to make an egg wash.
13. Mix the ground cardamom and sugar to make cardamom sugar.
14. Prepare each bun by brushing with egg wash and sprinkling on cardamom sugar.
15. Bake for 6 minutes. Lower temperature to 375F and rotate trays 180 degrees and swap top and bottom trays. Bake for an additional 12 minutes or until golden brown.
16. Let buns cool for at least 10 minutes. Enjoy!