A healthier, vegan version of Swedish cinnamon or cardamom rolls - folded, twisted, & knotted to create a beautiful layered bun. These are made with spelt flour, coconut oil, and coconut sugar.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Vegan
Prep Time 25 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Resting Time 1 hourhour30 minutesminutes
Total Time 45 minutesminutes
Servings 1dozen
Ingredients
500ml/ 2 cups nondairy milkoat, almond, etc.
70grams/ 1/4 cup coconut oil
3tablespoonsmaple syrup or honey
4teaspoonsactive dry yeast*
800 - 900grams/ 5 - 6 cups light spelt flour**
1teaspooncinnamon
1teaspooncardamom
½teaspoonsea salt
Filling
70grams/ 1/4 cup soft coconut oil
50grams/ 1/4 cup coconut sugar
4tablespoonsmaple syrup or runny honey
2teaspoonscinnamon
1teaspooncardamom
Instructions
Pour the milk into a small saucepan and heat on low-medium until warm but not boiling. Whisk in the coconut oil and maple syrup, then pour this mixture into a large heatproof bowl. Check to make sure it's not too hot (it should be just warmer than your skin) then whisk in the yeast. Let it rest for about 15 minutes, or until foaming.
Stir in 1 cup of flour, the cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Add the remaining flour in 1/2 cup increments, stirring between additions, until it becomes too difficult to stir with a wooden spoon. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured countertop and knead, adding more flour as necessary, until a soft and smooth dough forms, about ten minutes.
Oil a large bowl and place the dough into it, turning it a couple of times to coat it in a little oil. Place a large plate over the bowl and set it into a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about an hour.
Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Gently punch the dough down and place it onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle, about 2cm thickness, and spread with the filling. Start with an even layer of coconut oil, then top with the coconut sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and cardamom. Fold into thirds, taking the side furthest from you and bringing it towards you two thirds of the way, then folding the other side over it.
Use a serrated knife to cut strips about 3cm wide, then gently stretch each strip before twisting as many times as you can, then tie into knot shapes, tucking one end underneath and pulling the other up through the centre of the knot. Place completed buns onto the prepared baking sheets, then cover with a kitchen towel and set them on the counter to rise for another 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 190C / 375F. Once the buns are finished rising, bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. Cool for about ten minutes on the baking sheet before serving. These are best eaten the day they're baked.
Notes
* You can also use one cube of fresh yeast here in place of the dry. ** Normal wheat flour will work well here but I wouldn't try using all whole spelt as it makes them too heavy. If they need to be whole grain then go for sprouted spelt instead, but they won't be as light.Tips: • This makes a pretty big batch, with a dozen large buns, but the recipe can be cut in half if you need a smaller amount. • A perfect place for the dough to rise for the first time is in the oven with the light on. It can rise somewhere cooler but will need more time in that case. For the second rise, once the buns are formed, let them rise at room temperature to prevent the filling from melting. • To make the buns in a stand mixer, follow the directions as listed but don't turn the dough out to knead it. Use the dough hook and add flour 1/2 cup at a time, kneading as you go, until a smooth dough forms. • Depending on how much you like cardamom, you can use more or less here. If you're a big fan, try switching the amounts of cinnamon and cardamom in the filling.