Cinnamon Buns

Finns are renowned to be coffee addicts, consuming more than any other country! Afternoon coffee breaks, if you want a sweet snack, it will be true time for the cinnamon buns to arrive. Cinnamon buns are rolled and filled with butter, sugar, and a generous amount of ground cinnamon. The dough is produced with a milk base and contains fresh yeast and cardamom. The Finnish word, korvapuusti, translates as "a slap on the ear." The bun's ear-like form may have inspired this unusual name.

Ingredients:

For the Pastries:

• 1 cup lukewarm milk
• 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted, at room temperature
• 1 (0.25-ounce) packet dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground cardamom
• 2 large eggs, beaten, divided
• 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• Pearl sugar, or rock sugar, for garnish

For the Filling:

• 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 heaping tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instruction:

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, 4 tablespoons melted butter, yeast, and sugar. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes until yeast begins to bubble.
3. Stir in salt, cardamom, and 1 beaten egg.
4. Then gradually stir in 4 to 5 cups flour until dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. If using a stand mixer, switch to a dough hook; knead at level 3 or 4 for 7 minutes. If kneading by hand, work the dough until it is smooth, shiny, and has lost most of its stickiness.
5. Place in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or cling wrap, and allow to rise 1 hour or until doubled.
6. Punch down dough.
7. Then divide into two equal halves.
8. Roll each half into an 8x14 rectangle.
9. Brush each half with melted butter.
10. Then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
11. Starting from the long side, tightly roll each half into a long "snake".
12. With a sharp knife, make diagonal cuts every 2 inches to make 7 triangular rolls (14 total).
13. Place each roll, point up, on lightly greased cookie sheets.
14. Then use a finger or a spoon to press down each tip to form ear-shaped rolls.
15. Cover with clean towels and allow to rise another hour, until doubled.
16. Preheat oven to 400 F. Brush each roll with beaten egg.
17. Sprinkle with pearl sugar and bake on center rack for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.