If you’re craving a breakfast treat that perfectly balances zesty brightness and warm spice, this Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe is exactly what you need. These golden, twisted delights boast a buttery dough wrapped in fragrant cardamom and orange zest, then kissed with a luscious, citrusy glaze. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch or simply want to elevate your mornings, these buns promise a flavorful, aromatic start that fills your kitchen with irresistible warmth and joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe plays an essential role in creating the perfect harmony between soft, tender dough and a vibrant, spiced filling. From the rich butter to the fresh orange zest, these elements come together to craft a delicious morning treat.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, providing structure and soft texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to balance spices and caramelizes for a lovely crust.
- Instant yeast: Helps the dough rise for light, airy buns.
- Fine sea salt: Enhances all flavors and balances sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to both dough and filling.
- Whole milk: Creates a tender crumb through its fat content.
- Large egg: Binds the dough and adds richness.
- Fresh orange zest: Provides a fresh, citrus burst that brightens each bite.
- Ground cardamom: Offers a warm, aromatic spice that pairs beautifully with orange.
- Fresh orange juice: Used in the glaze for tangy sweetness and moisture.
How to Make Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Begin by whisking together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, melt butter and warm milk gently until just warm to the touch, which helps activate the yeast without killing it. Slowly whisk this warm mixture into a beaten egg to ensure smooth incorporation, then add to the dry ingredients. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then gradually add a bit more flour until it starts pulling away from the bowl. Knead the dough for about 5-6 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Place it in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 40 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Flavorful Filling
While the dough rises, combine the sugar with fresh orange zest in a bowl, rubbing them together to release the fragrant oils. Add the ground cardamom and a pinch of salt, mixing everything evenly. This mixture is what makes the buns uniquely delightful, giving them that signature orange-cardamom twang.
Step 3: Shape the Buns
After the dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into an 18 by 12-inch rectangle. Brush it lightly with melted butter, leaving a border around the edges for a clean seal. Divide the dough mentally into thirds, as if folding a letter. Spread half of the sugar-cardamom mixture on the middle third of the dough. Fold one side over the center, brush with more butter, then sprinkle on the remaining sugar mixture, and fold the last section over. Be sure to press edges closed with your rolling pin to seal the filling inside.
Step 4: Twist and Bake
Flip the dough seam side down and roll it gently to about 14 by 8 inches. Trim the edges for clean strips and slice the dough into 12 pieces. Take each strip and twist the ends before looping them into a small bun shape, tucking the ends securely. Place the buns on parchment-lined baking sheets with enough space to rise. Cover loosely with wax or parchment paper and let them rise for another 25-30 minutes. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 17-18 minutes total, rotating halfway for an even golden crust.
Step 5: Glaze with Orange and Cardamom
While the buns bake, simmer the orange juice and sugar over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and stir in cardamom and butter for a shiny, aromatic glaze. Brush this warm glaze generously over the hot buns as soon as they come out of the oven to infuse extra moisture and flavor.
How to Serve Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, sprinkle some finely grated orange zest or a light dusting of powdered sugar on your buns just before serving. This enhances the citrus aroma and adds visual charm, making each bun look as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
These buns pair wonderfully with a crisp, refreshing fruit salad or a creamy yogurt parfait topped with honey and nuts. If you prefer a savory balance, crispy bacon or a handful of toasted almonds alongside your morning coffee complements the spice and sweetness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these buns in a rustic wooden basket lined with a colorful cloth to bring warmth to your breakfast table. For a festive occasion, arrange them on a tiered dessert stand surrounded by slices of fresh citrus. You could even drizzle a little extra glaze over the buns tableside for a bit of interactive fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe yields best results fresh, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours without losing their deliciousness. This short window ensures the buns stay moist and soft.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these buns later, freeze them after baking and cooling completely. Wrap each bun tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months and still taste fantastic when thawed.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or leftover buns in a warm oven set at 325°F for about 8-10 minutes to bring back their freshly baked texture. You can also microwave them briefly, though this might soften the crust slightly. Don’t forget to refresh with a light glaze to revive that vibrant orange cardamom flavor!
FAQs
Can I use regular yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can substitute active dry yeast for instant yeast, but you’ll need to proof it in warm water first to activate it before mixing into the flour. This extra step ensures your dough rises just right.
What if I don’t have fresh orange zest? Can I use dried orange peel?
While fresh zest offers the best aroma and flavor, dried orange peel can be used in a pinch. Just use less since it’s more concentrated and rehydrate it slightly for better flavor release.
Can I make these buns vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, swap the butter with a plant-based alternative and use a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk. Replace the egg with a flax egg or applesauce to help bind the dough.
How do I know when the buns are perfectly baked?
They should be golden brown with a slightly firm crust. When tapped, the buns will sound hollow, and the tops will have a beautiful caramelized sheen from the glaze.
Is there a way to make these buns less sweet?
Absolutely! Simply reduce the sugar in the filling and glaze by about one-third. This will still keep the delightful cardamom and orange notes without overwhelming sweetness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about waking up to the fragrance of freshly baked Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe. The combination of citrus brightness, warm spice, and tender buttery dough creates an unforgettable morning treat that’s sure to brighten anyone’s day. Give this recipe a try and share the love with your friends or family — I promise they’ll be asking for these buns again and again!
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Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 buns
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Orange Cardamom Morning Buns are a delightful breakfast or brunch treat featuring a tender, buttery dough infused with warm cardamom and bright orange zest. Twisted into charming spirals and glazed with a fragrant orange-cardamom syrup, these buns combine sweet citrus notes with aromatic spices for a flavorful start to your day.
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
- Make the dough: In a medium-large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups of the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Set aside. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter and milk together until just warm to the touch (95-110°F). Crack the egg into a small bowl and whisk constantly while slowly adding the warm butter/milk mixture until combined. Add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients, folding gently to form a shaggy dough. Gradually add up to an additional 1/4 cup flour in 2 tablespoon increments until the dough pulls away from the bowl.
- Knead and rise the dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-6 minutes until smooth. Form into a ball, place in an oiled bowl, coat all sides with oil, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and allow to rise in a warm, draft-free area for 40 minutes or until doubled in bulk.
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine sugar and orange zest, rubbing together with your fingers to release the oils. Stir in cardamom and a pinch of salt with a fork.
- Shape the buns: Return the risen dough to a floured surface. Roll into an 18×12-inch rectangle using a floured rolling pin. Brush the surface with melted butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Mentally divide the dough into three 6-inch sections across the length. Sprinkle half the sugar mixture evenly over the center third. Fold one short side over the center third (creating a 12×12-inch square), brush with more butter, then sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture on top. Fold the remaining short side over the top, forming a 12×6-inch rectangle. Press edges closed gently with the rolling pin. Flip dough so seam side is down, and roll out to 14×8 inches. Trim 1/2-inch from short edges to square, then cut into 12 strips.
- Twist and form the buns: Take one strip at a time and twist each end in opposite directions to form a loose rope. Loop the ends until they cross to create a small hole, then tuck ends into that hole to secure the shape. Place buns on parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets, spacing at least 6 inches apart to allow room for rising. Cover loosely with wax paper or parchment and let rise for 25-30 minutes in a warm, draft-free space until slightly puffy and when gently pressed, the indentation remains.
- Bake the buns: Place oven racks in the center and preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the buns for 10 minutes, then rotate pans top-to-bottom and front-to-back. Continue baking for another 7-8 minutes, or until the buns turn golden brown.
- Make the glaze: While the 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 and stir in cardamom and butter until smooth.
- Glaze the buns: Remove the buns from the oven and immediately brush them generously with the warm orange-cardamom glaze. Allow to cool slightly before serving. These buns are best enjoyed the day they are made but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Notes
- For best texture, use whole milk and room temperature egg when making the dough.
- If the dough is too sticky, add flour gradually, but avoid adding too much to keep buns tender.
- The rising times depend on your kitchen temperature; warmer environments speed up rising.
- You can make the glaze ahead and reheat slightly before brushing over the buns.
- Store baked buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; reheat gently if desired.
- Ensure buns have enough space while rising and baking to avoid sticking together.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
