Description
Heavenly Swedish Semlor cream buns blend delicate cardamom-spiced dough with luscious almond paste and billowing whipped cream. Rich Nordic traditions shine through this elegant pastry that promises pure indulgence with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Liquid and Fat Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup warm water (110°F)
- 3/4 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 eggs, divided
Filling and Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup almond paste
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Activate yeast in tepid water within a spacious mixing vessel, allowing it to bloom and become frothy for approximately 10 minutes.
- Incorporate milk, softened butter, sugar, salt, cardamom, and an egg, blending thoroughly with initial flour portion until achieving a smooth consistency.
- Gradually introduce remaining flour, kneading on a lightly dusted surface for 5-10 minutes until the dough becomes silky and resilient.
- Transfer dough to a greased container, drape with a cloth, and permit rising in a warm environment for 60 minutes or until volume doubles.
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Deflate dough and partition into 12 uniform spherical portions, positioning them evenly on the prepared sheet.
- Allow buns to proof for an additional 30 minutes, then delicately brush surfaces with beaten egg.
- Bake for 15 minutes until achieving a golden-amber hue, then cool completely on a wire rack.
- Carefully slice off bun tops and gently excavate a small interior cavity.
- Combine extracted bread crumbs with almond paste and minimal milk, creating a cohesive filling mixture.
- Stuff the buns with the almond blend, then crown with whipped cream beaten to stiff peak consistency.
- Restore bun tops and generously dust with powdered sugar for a classic Swedish presentation.
Notes
- Yeast Activation: Ensure warm water is precisely between 100-110°F to perfectly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Kneading Technique: Develop gluten by kneading thoroughly, creating a soft, elastic texture that’s key to authentic Swedish buns.
- Rising Environment: Place dough in a draft-free, warm spot like near a preheated oven to help achieve optimal rise and volume.
- Almond Variation: Substitute almond paste with ground almonds or marzipan for a more intense nutty flavor if preferred.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum to maintain the buns’ delicate structure.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based milk and margarine, and whip coconut cream as a lactose-free alternative to traditional cream.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 348
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg