Swedish Style Cinnamon Rolls

This slightly adjusted version of the traditional recipe of Swedish cinnamon rolls can't go wrong! Will take 1 1/2 - 2 hours to make (including the time for the dough to rest), but it's worth it. This recipe gives 40 delicious cinnamon rolls. Serve with coffee, tea or a glass of milk.

You need:
1 packet dry yeast
1 dl (1/2 cup) water
1 1/2 dl (little more than 1/2 cup) sugar
4 dl (1 1/2 cup) milk
100 g unsalted butter
1 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt
12-14 dl (5-6 cups) flour

Filling:
100 g butter (room temperature)
1 dl (1/2 cup) sugar 
Cinnamon

Topping:
1 egg
sesame seed

Instructions:

1. Heat water to approx 100 F (37C). Add yeast, 1 teaspoon of sugar, mix and let it stand for 10 min so the yeast becomes active. (Tip: Yeast likes the same temperature as you, if you dip your finger in the water you should not burn your finger - then it's too hot!).

2. Melt butter in a pan, add milk, sugar and cardamom. Let it stand until room temperature. Add yeast mix.

3.  Add flour slowly to the mix. Kneed the dough by hand until it becomes smooth 5-10 min, or in a baking machine until the dough looks firm and smooth. (Tip: It's better to add too little flour than too much. It's easier to adjust the amount of flour after you have let the dough rest).

4. Let the dough rest for 30 min. While you wait for the dough to rise, mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl for the filling. Make sure the butter for the filling is room temperature.

5. Kneed the dough for 2 min. If too wet, add some flour. Split the dough into 4 parts. Use a rolling pin to work the dough flat. See picture below:

6. Spread the soft butter on the dough. With a spoon, spread the sugar and cinnamon mix on top of the butter.

7. Lift the bottom half of the dough, to make a half size rectangular. Use a knife to cut the dough into 10 parts. Twist the pieces, and attach the ends to make small rolls. Put the rolls on an oven safe plate, covered with a baking sheet. Leave enough space for the rolls to rise. See pictures:

8. Let the rolls rest for 30-40 min. Preheat oven to 250'c (485 F).

9. Mix an egg in a glass, use a spoon or a brush to cover the top of the rolls in egg. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the rolls.

10. Bake in oven for 8-10 min, or until golden brown.


Enjoy!