{Kanelbullar} Swedish Cinnamon Buns Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (2024)

  • BY Amanda Frederickson
  • Published
  • Updated July 16, 2022

Jump to Recipe

I traveled to Sweden recently — Stockholm, to be exact.

I’m of Swedish heritage, so I was excited to see where my family comes from, but I went in the middle of winter and was nervous about the cold weather, short days, and long nights.

Despite my concerns, Sweden exceeded my expectations, and I loved every minute. Stockholm is easily one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited– stunning in both light and darkness with gorgeous architecture and history dating back to the 1200s.

Uncovering A Love For Swedish Cinnamon Buns

Like so many of us, I travel because I love new food discoveries, and, in Stockholm, I discovered my love for kanelbullar, aka Swedish cinnamon buns. Before my trip, I had only ever tasted kanelbullar at Ikea, exhausted and starving after hours of shopping. Unsurprisingly, the authentic Swedish cinnamon buns in Stockholm were infinitely better than the Ikea version.

The Difference Between Swedish And American Cinnamon Buns

Before we proceed, we should clarify that kanelbullar are more cousins than siblings to American cinnamon rolls. They’re not as gooey or rich and never have icing.

Instead, these knotted dough buns are made with loads of cardamom and cinnamon and flecked with pearl sugar or sliced almonds.

Embracing The Fika Time

While in Stockholm, I did not hold back on the kanelbullar, especially since they were the perfect excuse to escape the cold and partake in the Swedish tradition of Fika, aka coffee break. Kanelbullar are such a part of Swedish culture that it’s estimated that the average citizen eats nearly 320 annually, so I think it’s safe to say it’s in my genes to need some Swedish cinnamon buns. Right?

Some of my favorites were at the amazing Saluhall food hall in central Stockholm’s Ostermalm district, and I had to recreate them when I returned home. These take a bit of time and patience, but they’re worth every minute!

Go stock up on all your cooking essentials, then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!

{Kanelbullar} Swedish Cinnamon Buns Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (1)

{Kanelbullar} Swedish Cinnamon Buns Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (2)

{Kanelbullar} Swedish Cinnamon Buns Recipe

I traveled to Sweden recently, Stockholm to be exact. I discovered my love for kanelbullar aka Swedish Cinnamon Buns. Some of my favorites were at the amazing Saluhall food hall in central Stockholm Ostermalm district and I had to recreate them when I returned home.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

For The Foam:

  • 1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons almond milk or whole milk
  • 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup unrefined granulated sugar plus a pinch for the yeast
  • 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 3 teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

For The Dough:

  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour plus more for rolling the dough
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
  • pinch kosher salt

For The Glaze:

  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • Toasted sliced almonds or pearl sugar, for garnish

Instructions

  • Make The Foam:Heat milk to 110° to 115°F degrees, then combine with the yeast and a pinch of granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Set aside until foamy, about 5 to 10 minutes.

    Add the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, the egg and egg yolk, 2 teaspoons of the vanilla, 2 teaspoons of the cardamom, and 2 teaspoons of the salt, then whisk until eggs are broken up and well combined.

  • Start The Dough:Slowly add 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour to the stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and knead until a soft silky dough forms. (Only add as much flour as you need. The dough should be tacky, silky, and slack enough that it slightly falls on itself when you set it down.

    If the dough is sticking to your hands after 3 1/2 cups, add the remaining 1 cup flour in 2 tablespoons intervals until you have the desired consistency.) Mix in 4 tablespoons of the room temperature butter a few pieces at a time until well incorporated. Shape dough into a ball tucking the ends under so the top surface is smooth.

  • Let The Dough Rise:Lightly spray a clean bowl with nonstick spray and roll the dough ball in oil. Cover with plastic wrap or damp kitchen towel, set in a warm place, and allow to rise until doubled; about 45 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.

    When ready to form the cinnamon rolls, prepare the filling by combining the remaining 4 tablespoons of room temperature butter, 1/4 cup of the light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of the ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla bean paste, and a pinch of salt. Stir until thoroughly mixed.

  • Form The Cinnamon Rolls:Heat oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pinto roll the dough a 12-inch-by-18-inch rectangle. Spread the butter-sugar mixture over the rectangle all the way to the edge.

    Along the 18-inch side, mark the dough every 6 inches, then use those marks as a guide to gently fold the dough in thirds onto itself, so it’s like a closed business letter. Turn the dough so the seam is in front of you and the open ends are to your right and left.

  • Trim the edge of the dough slightly so the rectangle is even, then using a very sharp knife or pastry wheel, slice the dough lengthwise into 2 centimeter long strips (you should have about 16 to 18).

    To form a knotted roll, loop the two times rope over your first two fingers, then fold it under to tie it into a knot (check outFix Feast Flair for pictureson how to tie the rolls). Let dough rise 30 minutes at room temperature.

  • Make The Spiced Sugar Glaze:While the buns are rising, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of light brown sugar with 1/4 cup water, remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or a vanilla bean split lengthwise), the remaining 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (or a 3-inch cinnamon stick), and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom (or 3 crushed cardamom pods). Bring to a boil and stir to dissolve, then sugar, then remove from heat.

  • Bake The Cinnamon Buns:When the rolls are ready to bake, brush tops of each with the spiced simple syrup, then sprinkle with pearl sugar or sliced almonds.

    Bake cinnamon rolls in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown on the bottom and almonds are toasted. Remove from oven, and brush again with the simple syrup; cool slightly before serving.

PERSONAL NOTES

Click here to add your own private notes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 71kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 303mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 44IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 0.3mg

Keyword Cinnamon buns

Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!

Travel Planning Resources

This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to our privacy policy.

  • Recipes

About The Author

{Kanelbullar} Swedish Cinnamon Buns Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (12)

Amanda Frederickson

Amanda Frederickson is a chef in the Williams-Sonoma Test Kitchen. She also tests recipes for cookbooks, is a food stylist and photographer, as well as runs the food and travel blogA Life Well Lived.

Posts By This Author →

{Kanelbullar} Swedish Cinnamon Buns Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (13)

Amanda Frederickson

Amanda Frederickson is a chef in the Williams-Sonoma Test Kitchen. She also tests recipes for cookbooks, is a food stylist and photographer, as well as runs the food and travel blogA Life Well Lived.

View Posts By This Author →

Leave a Comment

TRAVEL SERVICES

We'll help you tasteItalyMexicoCaliforniaHawaiiMexicoFranceSpainthe world

Food Focused Experiences

We specialize in food-focused experiences in the most interesting culinary regions of the world.

Small Group Trips

We host unique small group trips to California, Italy, and Mexico from Sicily to Oaxaca.

Custom Itineraries

Our tailored-to-you trip planning services help you make the most of your trip.

{Kanelbullar} Swedish Cinnamon Buns Recipe — Salt & Wind Travel (2024)

FAQs

Which country makes the best cinnamon buns? ›

Cinnamon buns are the best-loved pastry among the pastry-loving Swedes. Sweet and moreish, they are also an important feature of the Swedish 'fika'.

How many cinnamon buns do Swedes eat? ›

The average Swede consumes as many as 230 cinnamon rolls a year and the pastry is so popular that it even has its own day in the calendar. Kanelbullens Dag (Cinnamon Bun Day) takes place every year on October 4th, with an estimated eight million cinnamon rolls sold across Sweden on that day alone.

Why did my homemade cinnamon rolls come out hard? ›

Don't Overbake Cinnamon Rolls

Overbaked cinnamon rolls are tough and chewy instead of light and pillowy. Since it can be a bit tricky to know when rolls are fully baked, use a digital thermometer. Bake cinnamon rolls until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches between 190°and 200°F.

Which of the following are common mistakes made when preparing cinnamon rolls? ›

14 Mistakes You're Making With Cinnamon Rolls
  • Sticking with the same conventional cinnamon roll recipe. ...
  • Using the wrong kind of yeast. ...
  • Not using a sourdough starter. ...
  • Avoiding experimenting with fats. ...
  • Using hard butter or melted butter. ...
  • Not using different kinds of cinnamon. ...
  • Using a weak flour.
Oct 26, 2022

What is the difference between American and Swedish cinnamon buns? ›

The Swedish cinnamon bun is much less sticky than, for example, the American cinnamon roll. Swedish cinnamon buns also have the very specific addition of a bit of cardamom spice in the dough which adds another delicious dimension of flavouring.

What is a cinnamon roll called in Sweden? ›

Kanelbullar or cinnamon buns are a classic at Swedish coffee parties. During the golden age of home baking, such parties turned into orgies of sweet yeast breads, small cookies, cookies with fillings, pastries and cakes. This tradition lives on in Sweden.

How much salt do Swedes eat? ›

Redusalt. Sweden is one of the countries in the western world where daily intake of salt is too high. On average, we consume between 10 and 20 grams of salt per day compared to the recommended intake of 6 grams.

What do Swedish people eat the most? ›

Swedish cuisine could be described as centered around cultured dairy products, crisp and soft (often sugared) breads, berries and stone fruits, beef, chicken, lamb, pork, eggs, and seafood. Potatoes are often served as a side dish, often boiled.

What happens if you let cinnamon rolls rise too long? ›

Can cinnamon rolls rise for too long? Yes definitely! If you let your cinnamon rolls rise for too long you can over-proof them. This can lead to dense rolls or rolls that collapse after baking.

Why do cinnamon rolls go bad? ›

Storage conditions: Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness of your cinnamon rolls. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to air can impact their shelf life.

What are the five common baking mistakes? ›

Common Baking Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
  • Baking at the wrong temperature. ...
  • Not measuring ingredients. ...
  • Checking on your items too frequently. ...
  • Your ingredients are at the wrong temperature. ...
  • Your dough isn't rising. ...
  • Nothing is baking evenly. ...
  • Your dough or batter is too tough.

Can I leave cinnamon rolls out overnight to rise? ›

Instead of letting the rolls rise at room temperature and baking them, you'll cut and arrange the rolls in the baking pan, tightly cover them with plastic wrap, immediately transfer them to the fridge and let them rest overnight. (Do not leave them out at room temperature for any longer than needed.)

What happens if you add too much flour to cinnamon rolls? ›

You want to add only the amount of flour that it takes so your dough is not sticky. Adding too much flour will make your rolls very dry. Once you have added the appropriate amount of flour, turn your mixer to a low speed and let the machine do all the kneading for you.

Where is the best cinnamon made? ›

Considered the world's best cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon has been grown and produced in Sri Lanka for generations. But experienced peelers are now rare.

What is the world's best cinnamon? ›

Many folks refer to Ceylon cinnamon as “the world's best cinnamon”, or by another moniker, “true cinnamon”, and it is indeed fantastic. Ceylon cinnamon comes from the Cinnamomum Verum tree, which is native to Sri Lanka (previously known as Ceylon).

Are cinnamon rolls an American thing? ›

American cinnamon rolls actually originated from Swedish kanelbullar. Swedish immigrants brought their traditional recipes and culinary traditions, including kanelbullar, when they came to the United States.

Is Sweden known for cinnamon buns? ›

It's said that the cinnamon bun (kanelbulle) was invented in Sweden just after WW I and it's been a Swedish classic ever since. They're easy and fun to make and great for a family bake. So, get baking and make up a batch of kanelbulle and enjoy the Swedish kanelbulle.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 5591

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.