The Best Swedish Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)
With a soft and fragrant twist of cinnamon and cardamom, these Swedish Cinnamon Buns, also called Kanelbullar, are the authentic predecessors to the renowned cinnamon rolls.
Discover the irresistible charm of Swedish Cinnamon Buns, also known as Kanelbullar. These soft, fluffy buns are filled with a delicious cinnamon-cardamom sugar mixture, creating the perfect balance of sweetness and spice in every bite. These little treats are knotted, fluffy, and spiced clouds of happiness without icing but with pearl sugar on top. This lovely technique makes them look fun and is pleasant to break apart. The house will smell irresistible after this!
History
These spectacular buns came from Sweden in the 1920s. They called them Kanelbullar and usually use half cardamom powder and half cinnamon, which gives them a fun kick but could be too much for kids’ inexperienced palates. So, we’ve chosen to cut a bit on the cardamom from the original recipe, but feel free to add more if your family is adventurous.
American vs. Swedish
The main difference is its form, spice mix and topping. The American version is rolled up, while the Swedish version is knotted and twisted. In addition, the New World’s version usually contains a glaze or cream cheese frosting on top, while the Swedish bun uses just a few pearl sugar bits to decorate it or nothing at all. In other words, this version is spiced and less sweet. The added cardamom is also a main difference, which brings another dimension to the buns.
Dreamy Cinnamon
Who doesn’t like the pungent cinnamon smell around the house? Cinnamon has been around for a long time. Its origins go back to Medieval Europe, but its use in food today goes back to Sri Lanka. Although intensely flavoured, cinnamon is a kid’s favourite, and children devour it in under a minute.
The general rule says you can keep powdered cinnamon in the pantry for up to 2 years. So make sure your cinnamon is still good before attacking this recipe because it’s the highlight. Furthermore, the wooden spice has health benefits, from preventing type 2 diabetes to digestive issues. If you want to know more, check out this link!
Kid-Friendly
These Swedish Cinnamon Buns are easy to make, on top of being dreamy! Make the kids roll them up and knot them! The technique is shown in the video above. It is super easy, and no worries if it’s imperfect; they will puff up and magically take form. These would be a sure hit for the kids at a birthday party or school event! Plus, no mess on the fingers! An easy, breezy knot!
*Thanks to my friend Kristelle, an avid baker from Estonia, for sharing this recipe.
Swedish Cinnamon Buns
Ingredients
- 500 g flour
- 250 ml warm milk no more than 37°C (95F°)
- 100 g white sugar
- 90 g unsalted butter
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 1 egg
- 1 pinch salt
- pearl sugar decoration
The filling
- 90 g unsalted butter
- 90 g brown sugar
- 3 tbsp cinnamon powder
- ½ tbsp cardamom powder *optional
Instructions
The Dough
- Start by warming the milk at no more than 37°C (95F°).
- Add the warm milk to the yeast, sugar and salt in a small bowl and whisk.
- Mix the flour, butter and milk with your hands in a big bowl until it doesn't stick to the sides anymore.
- Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
The Filling
- In a small bowl, add the filling ingredients and mix well until homogenous.
- Roll the dough with a rolling pin in a large square approximately 1 mm thick.
- With a flat spatula, cover the dough with the filling.
- Fold the dough into two and cut the side to make a straight rectangle.
- Cut into 12 equal stripes 4 cm.
- Twist each stripe until it looks like a big rope, and turn it on itself to make a knot (watch video).
- Add the fresh knotted buns to a silicone or greased muffin tray or in muffin liners, and let them rest for 15 minutes.
- Whisk the egg with a bit of water to make an egg wash and brush it over each bun.
- Add the pearl sugar on top.
- Cook in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes or until golden.
Video
Nutrition
Sharing of this recipe is encouraged and appreciated. Copying a full recipe to any social media is prohibited.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share your thoughts on it! Leave a comment or share a picture and tag me @littlenomadsrecipes on Instagram.
I have had these before and have been looking for a good recipe ever since. Thanks for posting this one. Do you think I can make them ahead of time and freeze them to bake for Christmas?
Yes, you can freeze them, well, the dough and make them last minute.
Yum! These look absolutely delicipus, I’ll be trying these for an upcoming brunch I am planning!
they are delicious! Let me know how the brunch went!
tasty and moist swedish buns – what a delicious and easy to make dessert recipe. It’s just what I was looking for!
Fluffiness at its best!
You had me at cinnamon bun – these look absolutely fantastic. Making these with my niece this weekend because she LOVES cinnamon buns. It will be fun to make something a little different this time around.
Yes! Great to make with the kids!
You had me at less sugar – I need these cinnamon buns in my life!
They are in deed necessary to a happy life!