^{Homemade Kanelbullar Recipe (Swedish Cinnamon Buns)}

Soft, fluffy cinnamon buns with cinnamon and cardamom

These Swedish cinnamon buns (kanelbullar) are exactly what you need when you’re craving something fresh and homemade. Easy to make, yet full of flavor. In Sweden, they’re so loved that there’s even an annual Cinnamon Bun Day and once you try them, you’ll understand why.

What are kanelbullar?

Kanelbullar are traditional Swedish cinnamon buns known for their soft dough and rich, spiced filling made with cinnamon and cardamom. Unlike many other cinnamon rolls, they are less sweet and more aromatic.

Recipe: How to make Swedish cinnamon buns

Overview

Total time: 2 hours
Active time: 40 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Yield: 12–24 buns

Ingredients

For the dough:

420–475 g all-purpose flour
7 g instant yeast or ½ cube fresh yeast
200–250 ml lukewarm milk
50–150 g sugar
75–150 g soft butter
1 egg
pinch of salt
½–1 tsp ground cardamom (optional)

For the filling:

50–75 g soft butter
50–75 g (light brown) sugar
1–2 tsp cinnamon
optional: a pinch of cardamom

For the topping:

1 egg (beaten)
1 tbsp milk
pearl sugar

Instructions

1. Make the dough

Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm milk. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and cardamom. Add the egg and yeast mixture, then knead into a dough. Add the butter and continue kneading for 5–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Cover and let rise for 45–60 minutes, or until doubled in size.

2. Prepare the filling

Mix butter, sugar, and cinnamon into a smooth, spreadable filling.

3. Shape the buns

Roll the dough into a rectangle (about 30 × 40 cm). Spread the filling evenly and roll tightly from the long side.

Cut into equal pieces and place on a lined baking tray. Let rise again for 30–45 minutes.

4. Bake the buns

Preheat the oven to 200–220°C (390–430°F). Brush with egg and milk, then sprinkle with pearl sugar.

Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown.

Serving

Let the buns cool slightly and serve warm. With a cup of coffee, these buns bring that cozy fika feeling right into your own home.

Tips for perfect cinnamon buns

Add cardamom for an authentic Swedish flavor
Allow enough rising time for soft, fluffy buns
Don’t overbake to keep them tender

Nutrition (per bun, approx.)

170 kcal
3 g protein
8 g fat
21 g carbohydrates