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Swedish cinnamon bread, known as Kanellängd, is a delightful choice for Christmas morning. With a buttery cinnamon filling and a hint of cardamom, it creates a visually appealing and moist loaf that everyone will love. It's the perfect dessert for the holidays!
Among the various Swedish bread recipes, cinnamon bread is perhaps the most famous. In Sweden, you can find them everywhere from cafes to supermarkets and even gas stations. It's a sweet bread rolled into a swirl with a sweet cinnamon butter filling. Swedes often sprinkle sugar on top and enjoy it with coffee or tea.
PREPARING THE INGREDIENTS FOR SWEDISH CINNAMON BREAD
FOR THE BREAD DOUGH
- 75g unsalted butter
- 200ml warm milk
- 450g all-purpose flour
- 7g instant yeast
- 5g salt
- 7g ground cardamom
- 50g granulated sugar
- 1 egg
FOR THE FILLING
- 100g brown sugar
- 10g ground cinnamon
- 2g ground cardamom
- 45g unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
FOR DECORATION
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 50g powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons orange juice
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING SWEDISH CINNAMON BREAD
STEP 1. MAKING THE DOUGH
Heat butter and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm. Let the mixture cool to 50 degrees Celsius.
Put flour into a large mixing bowl. Add salt and yeast to opposite sides of the bowl, using your fingers to mix evenly. Add ground cardamom and granulated sugar, and stir until the mixture is well combined.
Pour in the egg and half of the milk mixture. Use a mixer to combine the dough on low speed. Gradually add milk as the mixer runs until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms, and all the flour is scraped from the bowl.
Transfer to a kneading surface and knead until the dough is smooth, not sticky, and has cleaned the bowl.
Shape into a ball, place in a lightly buttered bowl, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 and a half hours.
STEP 2. PREPARING THE FILLING
Combine sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl until evenly mixed, then set aside. Whip butter and vanilla extract until fully combined. Set aside.
STEP 3. FORMING THE BREAD
Prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Place the dough on a clean surface and roll it out into a large rectangle.
Evenly spread the vanilla butter over the dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture all over the buttered surface.
Starting with the long edge closest to you, tightly roll up the dough. Pull the roll towards you as you stretch the dough, creating a taut roll. Pinch the seam tightly underneath and at both ends to seal, then place on the prepared baking tray.
Using a sharp and clean kitchen knife or scissors, cut the dough into pieces about 2cm thick, cutting almost all the way through.
Pull the slices apart, alternating sides. Flatten the slices slightly.
Wrap the dough again with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for about 30-45 minutes.
STEP 4. BAKING THE BREAD
Preheat the oven to 210°C about 15 minutes before baking.
Beat 1 egg and brush evenly over the surface of the bread. Trim off excess parchment paper.
Bake in the preheated oven at 210°C for 25-30 minutes. Keep a close eye on the bread and cover with foil after 10 minutes if it's getting too dark.
Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
STEP 5. DECORATION
Sift powdered sugar into a medium-sized bowl and gradually add orange juice until a thick mixture forms. Transfer this mixture to a piping bag, cutting a small hole at the bottom.
Brush orange marmalade onto the bread, then sprinkle the powdered sugar mixture on top. Chill for about 15 minutes.
Transfer the bread to a serving plate, slice into large pieces, and enjoy!
PRODUCT OF SWEDISH CINNAMON BREAD
Soft and chewy bread slices with cinnamon filling, warm and rich butter, and a hint of sweetness. The outer crust with orange marmalade and powdered sugar brings a refreshing touch to this deliciously fragrant loaf of bread.
Wishing you success with this bread and a very Merry Christmas!
Source: Compiled
