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Fragrant Orange Cardamom Buns

Featured in: Sweet Treats That Create Memories

These orange cardamom morning buns feature a soft, yeasted dough enriched with milk, butter and egg. The dough is layered with a fragrant filling of fresh orange zest, cardamom and sugar using a folding technique that creates delicate twists. After shaping into knots and baking until golden, they're brushed with a warm orange-cardamom glaze that adds a subtle sweetness and amplifies the citrus notes. The result is a sophisticated breakfast pastry with balanced flavors and an impressive presentation that's actually quite approachable to make.

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marry from tastelikemagic.com
Updated on Sun, 27 Apr 2025 13:41:42 GMT
A plate of pastries with a swirl design. Pin it
A plate of pastries with a swirl design. | tastelikemagic.com

This aromatic orange cardamom morning bun recipe creates perfectly twisted, sweet pastries infused with bright citrus and warm spice. The double-folding technique creates beautiful layers that puff up during baking, while the orange cardamom glaze adds a glossy finish and extra flavor dimension.

I first created these morning buns when hosting a holiday brunch, and they've become my signature special occasion breakfast. The combination of orange and cardamom reminds me of my grandmother's kitchen, but with my own modern twist.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: Provides structure while remaining tender enough for the perfect morning bun texture
  • Instant yeast: Speeds up the rising process no need for proofing in liquid first
  • Whole milk: Creates a rich dough that stays soft even when cooled
  • Orange zest: Contains aromatic oils that infuse the filling with bright citrus essence
  • Ground cardamom: Brings a complex warmth that elevates these buns beyond ordinary cinnamon rolls
  • Unsalted butter: In the dough, filling, and glaze adds richness and helps create those beautiful layers

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the dough:
Combine 2¾ cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a medium bowl. Warm milk and butter together until just warm to touch about 95-110°F. Whisk in the egg, then fold into dry ingredients. Add more flour if needed until dough pulls away from bowl sides. Knead 5-6 minutes until smooth. Place in oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise 40 minutes or until doubled.
Prepare the filling:
Mix sugar and orange zest with your fingertips this technique releases the essential oils from the zest for maximum flavor. Add cardamom and salt, stirring with a fork to distribute evenly.
Shape with the special folding technique:
Roll dough into an 18×12-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Brush with melted butter, leaving a small border. Mentally divide into thirds and spread half the sugar mixture on the middle section. Fold one short side over the center, butter it, add remaining sugar mixture, then fold the other side over. Roll gently to 14×8 inches.
Create the twisted shape:
Trim edges and slice into 12 strips. Twist each strip, then bring the ends together to create a small hole. Tuck ends into the hole to secure. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets and let rise another 25-30 minutes.
Bake to golden perfection:
Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, rotate pans, then bake 7-8 minutes more until golden brown. While baking, simmer orange juice and sugar for the glaze, then add cardamom and butter. Brush warm buns generously with glaze.
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A plate of pastries with a white plate. | tastelikemagic.com

Cardamom holds a special place in my heart. I discovered it while traveling through Scandinavia, where it flavors many traditional pastries. The first time I included it in these buns, my kitchen filled with the most magical aroma I had ever experienced. Now, whenever I make these, that scent transports me back to those cobblestone streets and cozy cafés.

Make-Ahead Options

The beauty of these morning buns is their flexibility. You can prepare the dough the night before, letting it rise slowly in the refrigerator. This not only saves morning prep time but actually enhances the flavor through slow fermentation. After shaping, cover the buns tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes before baking.

Perfect Pairing Suggestions

These orange cardamom buns pair beautifully with a variety of morning beverages. Try them with a strong black coffee to contrast the sweet citrus notes, or alongside Earl Grey tea, whose bergamot complements the orange. For special occasions, serve with mimosas made with fresh-squeezed orange juice to echo the citrus in the buns.

Troubleshooting Tips

If your kitchen is cool, create a warm environment for rising by preheating your oven for just 1 minute, then turning it off and placing the dough inside with the door cracked. The gentle warmth helps activate the yeast without cooking the dough. If your buns unravel during baking, try tucking the ends more securely into the center hole during shaping. For maximum orange flavor, choose oranges with thicker peels as they typically contain more aromatic oils.

A plate of pastries with a glass of orange juice. Pin it
A plate of pastries with a glass of orange juice. | tastelikemagic.com

These buns are perfect for creating memorable breakfasts, combining irresistible flavors with beautiful presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prepare these buns the night before?

Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, let the dough come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling, filling, and shaping. This slow rise actually enhances the flavor development.

→ What's the best way to store leftover buns?

Store leftover buns in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Reheat room temperature buns in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or frozen buns for 10-12 minutes until warmed through.

→ Can I substitute the cardamom with another spice?

Absolutely! Cinnamon makes a classic substitute that pairs beautifully with orange. Other options include ginger, nutmeg, or a combination of warm spices. Adjust quantities to taste, as some spices (like nutmeg) can be more potent than cardamom.

→ Why did my dough not rise properly?

Several factors could affect yeast activity: your environment might be too cold (yeast loves 75-85°F), the yeast might be expired, or the milk mixture might have been too hot and killed the yeast. Make sure your milk-butter mixture is just warm to touch (95-110°F) before adding to the egg, and create a warm environment for rising by preheating your oven briefly then turning it off.

→ How do I know when the buns are properly baked?

The buns should be golden brown on top and have an internal temperature of about 190°F if you're using a thermometer. If you tap the bottom of a bun, it should sound hollow. If they're browning too quickly but don't seem done inside, tent with foil for the remaining bake time.

→ Can I make these without a stand mixer?

Definitely! These buns can be made entirely by hand. When mixing the wet and dry ingredients, use a wooden spoon, then turn out onto a floured surface to knead by hand for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The texture of the dough should be soft but not sticky.

Orange Cardamom Morning Buns

Soft, twisted dough knots infused with orange zest and cardamom, brushed with a warm citrus glaze for a fragrant morning treat.

Prep Time
40 Minutes
Cook Time
18 Minutes
Total Time
58 Minutes
By: Marry

Category: Sweets & Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: European

Yield: 12 Servings (12 morning buns)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Dough

01 2 3/4-3 cups all-purpose flour
02 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
03 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
04 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 1 cup whole milk
07 1 large egg, room temperature

→ Filling

08 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
09 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
10 4 teaspoons ground cardamom
11 pinch of fine sea salt
12 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

→ Glaze

13 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
14 1/3 cup granulated sugar
15 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
16 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

Step 01

In a medium-large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Set aside.

Step 02

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter and milk together until just warm to the touch, about 95-110 degrees F (35-43°C).

Step 03

Crack the egg into a small mixing bowl. Whisking constantly, add the butter/milk mixture in a thin stream until completely combined. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and fold together until a shaggy dough forms that pulls away from the bowl. Gradually add remaining flour in 2 tablespoon increments if needed.

Step 04

Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead 5-6 minutes, until smooth. Gather dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, ensuring all sides are lightly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm, draft-free environment for 40 minutes or until doubled in volume.

Step 05

Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 06

Combine sugar and orange zest in a small bowl. Rub together with your fingers to release the oils in the zest. Use a fork to stir in cardamom and salt.

Step 07

Return dough to floured surface. Using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Brush dough with melted butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border on all sides.

Step 08

Mentally divide the dough into thirds, like an unfolded letter. Place half the sugar mixture in the middle third of the dough—a 12×6-inch section surrounded by two buttered sections of the same size.

Step 09

Carefully grab one short side of the dough and fold it over the center, so the dimensions become 12×12-inches. Brush the top of the folded section with more butter and scatter the remaining sugar mixture. Fold the other short side over the top so the dimensions are 12×6-inches. Tap edges closed with your rolling pin.

Step 10

Carefully lift and turn dough over so the seam is against the floured surface. Roll the dough to dimensions of 14×8-inches.

Step 11

Use a large, sharp chef's knife to trim about 1/2-inch from the short edges of the dough. Slice dough into 12 strips. Working with one strip at a time, twist the ends until you have a loosely-twisted rope. Carefully bring ends toward one another until they cross over and create a small hole. Tuck ends into that hole. Place shaped buns on prepared pans, leaving about 6 inches between each (6 buns per half-sheet pan).

Step 12

Cover pans loosely with wax paper or parchment and let rise in a warm, draft-free environment for another 25-30 minutes. Remove covering. The buns may not appear dramatically changed, but an indentation made with your finger should remain. Tuck in any loose ends that have come out.

Step 13

Place oven racks in the center positions and preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Bake buns for 10 minutes, then rotate pans top-to-bottom and front-to-back. Bake another 7-8 minutes, until golden brown.

Step 14

While buns are baking, combine orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until sugar dissolves, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cardamom and butter.

Step 15

Use a pastry brush to apply the warm glaze to the freshly baked buns. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  1. Buns are best the day they are made but will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day.
  2. The indentation test during the second rise ensures proper proofing - if the dough springs back quickly, it needs more time.

Tools You'll Need

  • Medium-large mixing bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Rolling pin
  • Chef's knife
  • Rimmed baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Pastry brush

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains wheat (gluten)
  • Contains dairy (butter, milk)
  • Contains eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 230
  • Total Fat: 8.2 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 36.5 g
  • Protein: 3.9 g