Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe

Introduction

Start your day with these delightful Orange Cardamom Morning Buns, a perfect blend of citrus zest and warm spice wrapped in soft, twisted dough. These sweet rolls are ideal for weekend breakfasts or special occasions, offering a fragrant, buttery treat that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

• Dough:
• 2 3/4–3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• Filling:
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
• 4 teaspoons ground cardamom
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Glaze:
• 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium-large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Set aside. In a small saucepan, gently warm the butter and milk over medium-low heat until just warm (around 95-110°F).
2. Step 2: Crack the egg into a small bowl. Slowly whisk the warm butter-milk mixture into the egg until combined. Add this to the dry ingredients and fold to form a shaggy dough, adding up to 1/4 cup more flour in 2-tablespoon increments if needed until dough pulls away from the bowl.
3. Step 3: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5–6 minutes until smooth. Place dough ball in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled, about 40 minutes.
4. Step 4: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Meanwhile, prepare the filling by mixing sugar and orange zest in a small bowl, rubbing together to release oils. Stir in cardamom and salt.
5. Step 5: Roll the dough on a floured surface into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border on all sides. Mentally divide into thirds lengthwise.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture on the center third of the dough. Fold one short side over the filling to make a 12×12-inch square. Brush top with butter and sprinkle with remaining sugar mixture. Fold the other short side over to form a 12×6-inch rectangle. Press edges closed with a rolling pin.
7. Step 7: Flip the dough so the seam is down and roll gently to 14×8 inches. Trim 1/2 inch from short edges. Cut dough into 12 strips.
8. Step 8: Twist each strip into a loose rope. Bring ends together, crossing over to form a loop with a small hole, and tuck ends into the hole. Place buns on prepared pans, spaced about 6 inches apart.
9. Step 9: Cover loosely with wax or parchment paper and let rise again for 25–30 minutes in a warm spot until slightly puffy. Preheat oven to 375°F with racks in center positions.
10. Step 10: Remove covers and bake buns for 10 minutes. Rotate pans front-to-back and top-to-bottom, then bake 7–8 minutes more until golden brown.
11. Step 11: While baking, make the glaze by heating orange juice and sugar over medium-low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves (3–5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in cardamom and butter.
12. Step 12: Brush warm buns generously with the glaze. Serve fresh for best flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh orange zest and juice for vibrant citrus flavor.
• For a nutty twist, sprinkle finely chopped pistachios or almonds inside the filling before folding.
• If you don’t have instant yeast, substitute active dry yeast but allow extra time for rising.
• Experiment with spices by adding a pinch of cinnamon or ginger to the filling for added warmth.

Storage

Keep leftover buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Reheat gently in a warm oven or microwave for a few seconds to refresh softness. These buns are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are made.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and perform the first rise, then refrigerate it overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature and rise again before shaping.

Can I freeze these morning buns?

Absolutely. After shaping but before the second rise, place buns on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Thaw and rise fully before baking.

Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 702 reviews

These Orange Cardamom Morning Buns are tender, twisted sweet rolls infused with vibrant orange zest and warm ground cardamom. Perfectly glazed with an orange-cardamom syrup, they offer a fragrant, citrusy start to your morning or a delightful treat for brunch.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 buns 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough:

• 2 3/4 – 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg, room temperature

Filling:

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
• 4 teaspoons ground cardamom
• Pinch of fine sea salt
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Glaze:

• 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

1. Make the dough: In a medium-large bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. In a small saucepan, melt butter and milk over medium-low heat until warm (95-110°F). Whisk the egg in a small bowl, then slowly add the warm butter-milk mixture while whisking to combine. Add this liquid to dry ingredients and fold with a spatula, gradually adding flour in 2-tablespoon increments until dough pulls away from the bowl into a shaggy mass.
2. Knead the dough: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-6 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough ball in an oiled bowl and coat all sides with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 40 minutes or until doubled in size.
3. Prepare baking sheets and filling: Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine sugar and orange zest, rubbing together to release oils. Stir in cardamom and salt.
4. Shape the buns: Turn dough onto a floured surface and roll into an 18×12 inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Mentally divide into thirds. Sprinkle half the sugar-cardamom mixture over the center third.
5. Fold dough: Fold one short side over the center third, brush with butter, sprinkle remaining sugar mixture on top, then fold the other short side over to form a 12×6 inch dough. Press the edges closed with a rolling pin.
6. Roll and cut dough strips: Turn dough seam side down and roll out to 14×8 inches. Trim ½ inch off short edges. Cut dough into 12 strips. Twist each strip into a loose rope, then form a circle by crossing and tucking ends into the center hole.
7. Proof shaped buns: Place buns on prepared pans spaced 6 inches apart. Cover loosely with wax or parchment paper and let rise in a warm, draft-free spot for 25-30 minutes, or until a gentle poke leaves an indentation.
8. Bake the buns: Preheat oven to 375°F with racks in center positions. Bake buns for 10 minutes, then rotate pans top-to-bottom and front-to-back. Bake an additional 7-8 minutes until golden brown.
9. Make the glaze: While buns bake, combine orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until sugar dissolves (3-5 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in cardamom and butter.
10. Glaze and serve: Brush warm buns generously with the orange-cardamom glaze. Best served the day made; store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day.

Notes

• If dough is too sticky, add flour sparingly 1 tablespoon at a time during kneading.
• Ensure milk/butter mixture is warm, not hot, to avoid killing yeast.
• Use fresh orange zest for the best vibrant citrus flavor.
• Twisting the dough strips gently prevents tearing while shaping.
• Glazing while buns are warm allows the syrup to soak in for maximum flavor and shine.
• These buns freeze well after baking; thaw and warm briefly before serving.

Keywords: Orange Cardamom Morning Buns, sweet rolls, breakfast buns, cardamom, orange zest, morning pastry, twisted dough, glazed buns