Description
These Sweet Cardamom Rolls with Pearl Sugar are soft, fragrant, and mildly spiced with cardamom, featuring delightful crunchy bursts of pearl sugar. Perfect for breakfast or an indulgent snack, they bake up golden and fluffy, topped with a shiny egg wash, sprinkled cardamom, and crunchy sugar that adds texture and sweetness. With a tender yeast dough enriched by butter, milk, and egg yolk, these Scandinavian-inspired rolls are an irresistible treat when served warm alongside a cup of coffee, cocoa, or milk.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 cup warm milk
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg yolk
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1/2 cup pearl sugar (optional, to fold in dough)
Topping and Finishing
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 2 teaspoons water
- Cardamom (to sprinkle on top of each roll)
- Pearl sugar (to sprinkle on top)
Instructions
- Prepare Warm Liquid Mixture: In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, combine 1/4 cup warm water, 1 cup warm milk, and 3 tablespoons butter. Microwave for 30-60 seconds, stirring once, until lukewarm (about 105°F). Ensure it’s not too hot; if it is, cool it in the fridge briefly.
- Activate Yeast: Stir in 1 tablespoon active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar into the warm mixture. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy to proof the yeast.
- Mix Dough Base: Transfer yeast mixture to a large bowl or stand mixer bowl.
- Add Flavoring Ingredients: Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cardamom, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 large egg yolk. Beat well to combine.
- Add Flour and Form Dough: Add half of the 3 1/4 cups flour to the mixture. If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook. Add the remaining flour and mix until a soft dough forms. If dough is too sticky, incorporate flour sparingly until workable.
- Knead the Dough: Knead by hand or with the dough hook for 5 minutes, developing gluten and smoothing the dough.
- First Rise: Grease a large bowl with oil or butter. Shape dough into a ball and place in bowl, turning to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray.
- Pearl Sugar Folding (Optional): Punch down dough and fold in 1/2 cup pearl sugar by hand. This creates delightful crunchy pockets in the rolls.
- Shape Rolls: Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, pinching one end to secure the shape.
- Arrange Rolls: Place the shaped rolls evenly spaced in the greased baking pan.
- Make Egg Wash: Beat 1 egg with 2 teaspoons water in a small bowl.
- Brush Egg Wash: Generously brush the top of each roll with the egg wash to create a shiny glaze when baked.
- Sprinkle Cardamom: Lightly sprinkle a little cardamom on each roll for added aroma and flavor.
- Add Pearl Sugar Topping: Pile pearl sugar on top of each roll for a crunchy, sweet finish.
- Second Rise: Cover pan with a tea towel and let rolls rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. If rising in the oven, remove rolls before baking.
- Bake Rolls: Bake in preheated oven for 14-18 minutes or until golden brown all over the top.
- Cool and Serve: Let rolls cool 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, ideally with milk, hot cocoa, or coffee.
Notes
- Ensure the liquid mixture for yeast activation is lukewarm (around 105°F) but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Pearl sugar folded inside the dough is optional but adds a delightful crunchy texture inside the rolls.
- Using pearl sugar on top provides a sweet, decorative crunch.
- If dough feels sticky, add flour gradually to avoid heavy, dense rolls.
- Proofing times may vary depending on room temperature; rolls should double in size during each rise.
- Warm rise areas could be near a radiator or inside a turned-off oven with the light on.
- Brush egg wash just before the second rise for a shiny crust after baking.
- Store leftover rolls in an airtight container and gently reheat before serving.
