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A challah braid is the most traditional form of challah breads, with the braided presentation turning the egg-y dough into a work of art. Challah Dough 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 to 2 tablespoons (9 to 18 grams) poppy seeds Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide dough in […] LEGGI TUTTO
Stemming from the Georgian words “khacho” (cheese curds) and “puri” (bread), khachapuri (pronounced “hatch-ah-POO-ree”) is a beloved cheese-filled bread and the national dish of Georgia. There are different versions of khachapuris across different regions of Georgia, each with its own story to tell. It’s often said that there are as many recipes for khachapuris as […] LEGGI TUTTO
1. In a 4- to 6-quart cast-iron Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour oil to a depth of 2 inches, and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 365°F (185°C). Line several rimmed baking sheets with paper towels.Before you fry, you need to have your oil prepped and ready. That means having it poured to a depth of 2 inches in your pot and at the temperature called for in the recipe (365°F/185°C in the case of our yeasted doughnuts).
2. Using parchment paper to pick up doughnut holes, transfer doughnut holes in batches to hot oil, letting holes gently fall off parchment into oil. (Do not place parchment in oil.) Fry in batches until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Using a spider strainer, remove doughnut holes, and let drain on prepared pans.Using parchment helps you easily and safely transfer and lower dough into the hot oil. Bubbles should immediately begin forming around the dough; if not, check the oil’s temperature to ensure it’s hot enough.
3. Using parchment paper to pick up doughnuts, transfer doughnuts in batches to hot oil, letting doughnuts gently fall off parchment into oil. (Do not place parchment paper in oil.) Fry doughnuts in batches until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Using a spider strainer, remove doughnuts, and let drain on prepared pans. Fill and glaze as desired. Best served same day.
While frying, it’s important not to overcrowd the pot, or it’ll reduce the temperature of the oil. In a minute, you’ll turn them to reveal a golden underside. When a yeasted doughnut is fried, it should have a pale ring around its center, known as the “proof line.” This happens because air inside the dough makes the doughnut float just above its midpoint. As a result, the top and bottom fry in the oil while a ring around the middle stays just above the oil level. Once the doughnuts have been turned and fried until golden, you’ll want to transfer them to the prepared pans to cool immediately. LEGGI TUTTO
Whether you’re craving a sweet start to your morning or a scrumptious snack during the day, these seven muffin recipes are not just your average baked goods. From tantalizing twists on classic favorites to innovative flavor combinations, these muffins will become staples in your baking repertoire.
These domed Lemon Curd Muffins are warmly spiced with the bold flavors of cardamom and ginger and then filled with Lemon Curd for a sweet and tangy surprise.
Packed with hearty whole grains, shredded carrots and apples, dried cranberries, and pecans, with a hint of warm spice, these muffins are the perfect way to start your day.
Doubling down on crunchy texture with cornmeal and the almond-flecked streusel, these fruity quick breads are the best way to enjoy peaches for breakfast.
Studded with Bosc and Anjou pears, these tender muffins feature the luxurious pairing of crisp Champagne and rich vanilla.
Why go for tried-and-true zucchini bread when you could have these indulgent muffins? Owing their soft texture to juicy zucchini, these muffins get a dose of decadence from white chocolate chips embedded in the cocoa-rich batter. LEGGI TUTTO
Whether you’re enjoying a solo cozy night in or celebrating a special occasion with a few friends, small-batch bakes are perfect for baking for a smaller crowd. From savory breads to dark chocolate cakes, these eight scaled-down recipes are sure to satisfy in their perfect portions.
Cakey on the outside and filled with a mouthwatering center of molten dark chocolate, these lava cakes are the ultimate romantic dessert for two—just in time for Valentine’s Day.
To share with a smaller crowd, we scaled down our Four-Cheese Pull-Apart Milk Bread to produce two mini-loaves. This recipe is a savory twist on Japanese milk bread, with a quartet of melted mozzarella, provolone, fontina, and cream cheese stuffed between buttery pull-apart layers.
In a 1997 episode of Julia Child’s Baking with Julia, Nancy Silverton baked a brioche tart that was so good it made Julia cry. In our take on this groundbreaking dessert, we filled a pillowy brioche “crust” with velvety cream cheese custard and swirled it with fruit preserves. Finished off with crunchy pearl sugar, this stunner might just make you shed a tear, too.
There’s something so nostalgic about yellow cake with chocolate frosting, and sometimes, there’s just nothing better! These mini cakes will add a pop of color and sweetness to any celebration.
We’ve scaled down our Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars from a large rectangle pan to fit in a smaller square pan for those occasions when you want the classic carrot, pecan, and spiced flavor of carrot cake but need a recipe for a slightly smaller crowd.
For these Coffee Tres Leches Cakes, luscious mini pound cakes get soaked in the classic trinity of milks, with shots of espresso and coffee liqueur added in for good measure. Topped with meringue and a sticky coffee syrup drizzle, this cake offers custard-like texture with oodles of coffee flavor.
Seamlessly blending sweet and savory ingredients, this Small-Batch Fig and Onion Focaccia is perfect for dipping in your favorite olive oil, serving alongside pasta, or eating on its own.
Cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie fans, this Black Cocoa Cookies and Cream Cake is for you! Rich black cocoa mixes with espresso powder for a delightful chocolate kick, and a creamy cookie-filled frosting sweetly finishes it. Find the Nordic Ware Charlotte Cake Pan and our book, Another Bundt Collection, in our store here! LEGGI TUTTO
Swedish buns began popping up in bakeries and cafés in Sweden in the 1920s. Since exotic spices like cardamom and cinnamon weren’t readily available then, these buns were considered a luxury. As the economy grew in the 1950s, the path was paved for cardamom and cinnamon buns to quickly become a prized pastry that lives in the hearts and homes of Swedes today.
Swedish buns are intricately twisted pastries imbued with the woodsy warmth of the southern Indian spice green cardamom. Cinnamon and cardamom are Sweden’s most popular bun fillings—with Swedish pearl sugar adorning the cinnamon-filled buns and a dusting of cardamom sugar topping the cardamom-filled ones. It takes some practice to master the stunning shape—give yourself plenty of grace with the first few buns to get the hang of it. And if your knot isn’t perfect, don’t worry! They will taste wonderful no matter what.
Be sure to join us for Baking School with Williams Sonoma on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 5 p.m. PT. Brian Hart Hoffman will take you step-by-step through making these Swedish Buns. This is one baking event you won’t want to miss!
Click here to download a printable PDF of this lesson!
INGREDIENT BREAKDOWN
Excellent recipes require wonderful ingredients. Here’s how our recipe’s ingredients contribute to making showstopping Swedish Buns.
BREAD FLOUR: Bread flour is high in protein and gluten, which is essential in this recipe. It helps give stability and structure to the enriched dough and allows you to roll, pull, stretch, and shape the dough without it tearing.
GRANULATED SUGAR: Sugar acts as food for the yeast, which converts it to carbon dioxide and alcohol in the fermentation process. This helps make the dough tender, creating a soft, supple bun, and adds a bit of sweetness without making it overly sweet. Sugar also contributes to the bun’s golden color and retains moisture while it bakes.
RED STAR® ACTIVE DRY YEAST: A standard when it comes to baking with yeast, Red Star® Active Dry Yeast is a tried-and-true favorite for a reason. Providing a moderate and steady leavening rate that allows for maximum flavor development, active dry yeast works incredibly well in enriched doughs such as this. The slower action of active dry yeast also makes it the perfect choice for the slow rise of refrigerated doughs like this one. An essential part of this dough’s leavening, yeast needs food (sugar and carbohydrates), warmth (the warm milk mixture in this recipe will activate your yeast), and moisture for proper fermentation. Keep in mind, yeast is killed at 140°F (60°C), so keep your thermometer on hand when heating your milk and butter.
KOSHER SALT: As a rule of thumb, the ratio of salt to flour in dough is 1.8% to 2% of flour weight. It’s important to weigh your salt because different salt crystals measure differently. Dough without enough salt can easily over-ferment. Salt also helps with the color of the buns and enhances the overall flavor.
FRESHLY GROUND CARDAMOM: Cardamom adds notes of pine, mint, and citrus and a subtle smokiness, which provides the perfect balance to the buns.
WHOLE MILK: We use milk to add fat and flavor to our dough. Milk contains natural sugars that begin browning when heated between 212°F (100°C) and 350°F (180°C), which contributes to the buns’ beautiful bronze color.
UNSALTED BUTTER: Butter adds decadence to the enriched dough, creating moist, tender buns. Melting the butter into the milk also means the melted butter incorporates more smoothly and evenly, ensuring consistency in flavor and texture in every bite.
EGGS: The addition of egg in this dough not only adds richness but also helps with leavening, as the egg whites help create steam that puffs up your dough once it hits the warmth of the oven. Eggs also give the perfect golden shine to Swedish buns with the help of an egg wash—an egg whisked with a bit of water that gets gently brushed onto the buns right before going into the oven!
LIGHT BROWN SUGAR AND GROUND CINNAMON: Light brown sugar is made by mixing granulated sugar with 3.5% molasses, which gives the light brown sugar its lovely color, moist texture, and delicate yet distinctive caramel flavor. The combination of light brown sugar and the sweet, subtle heat of ground cinnamon is a match made in heaven.
SWEDISH PEARL SUGAR: Swedish pearl sugar is small, about the size of a dried lentil, and is generally made from sugarcane. Aside from being an elegant adornment on top of the buns, it adds a delightful crunchy texture, which beautifully contrasts the soft, buttery interior of the buns.
Swedish Buns
Makes 15 buns
Dough:3¾ cups (477 grams) bread flour, divided, plus more for dusting¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar1 (0.25-ounce) package (7 grams) active dry yeast*2 teaspoons (6 grams) kosher salt2 teaspoons (4 grams) freshly ground cardamom seeds (see Notes)1 cup (240 grams) whole milk⅓ cup (76 grams) unsalted butter1 large egg (50 grams), room temperatureCinnamon filling (option 1):¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature¼ cup (55 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar2 tablespoons (16 grams) bread flour2 teaspoons (4 grams) ground cinnamon¼ teaspoon kosher saltCardamom filling (option 2):½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar3 teaspoons (6 grams) freshly ground cardamom seeds (see Notes)¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature2 tablespoons (16 grams) bread flour¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1½ cups (191 grams) flour, granulated sugar, yeast, salt, and cardamom at low speed just until combined.In a medium saucepan, heat milk and butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted and an instant-read thermometer registers 120°F (49°C) to 130°F (54°C). Add warm milk mixture to flour mixture; beat at medium speed until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Add egg; beat at medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Gradually add remaining 2¼ cups (286 grams) flour, beating just until combined and stopping to scrape bottom and sides of bowl.Switch to the dough hook attachment. Beat at medium-low speed until a soft, smooth, elastic dough forms, 6 to 10 minutes. (Dough may still stick slightly to sides of bowl but should pass the windowpane test; see Notes.) Turn out dough onto a clean surface, and shape into a round.Oil a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.Punch down dough. On a clean surface, pat dough into a 10×6-inch rectangle. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to overnight.For cinnamon filling: In a medium bowl, stir together butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.Alternatively, for cardamom filling: In a small bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and cardamom; reserve ¼ cup (50 grams) cardamom sugar in another small bowl. Stir butter, flour, and salt into remaining cardamom sugar until well combined.Let dough stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 25×10-inch rectangle, with one long side closest to you. Using an offset spatula, dollop desired filling onto dough, and spread in a thin, even layer to edges. Working from short sides, fold dough in thirds like a letter.Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.Roll dough into an 11×8-inch rectangle, with one long side closest to you. Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut dough lengthwise into 15 strips (about ¾ inch wide each). Holding up one end of 1 strip vertically, gently pull dough in increments until strip is 22 inches long, being careful to keep an even thickness throughout dough so it does not tear. Holding bottom end of strip between index and middle fingers and thumb of one hand, loosely wrap dough strip three times around fingers of that same hand, overlapping dough slightly. Place thumb of same hand over overlapped dough strands to secure; wrap remaining end of dough perpendicularly, between index and middle fingers, and around overlapping dough strands to form a knot-like shape, tucking loose end under bottom of finished bun as you remove your fingers. Repeat with remaining strips, and place about 2 inches apart on prepared pans. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size and dough holds an indentation when gently pressed, 1 to 1½ hours.Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).For topping: In another small bowl, whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon (15 grams) water; brush onto buns. Sprinkle with pearl sugar (if using) or reserved cardamom sugar as desired.Bake until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers at least 190°F (88°C), 15 to 20 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking. Immediately sprinkle with additional pearl sugar (if using) or any remaining reserved cardamom sugar as desired. Let cool on pans for 5 minutes. Serve warm. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
*We used Red Star® Active Dry Yeast.
Notes: We used freshly ground cardamom seeds. For store-bought ground cardamom, use 1¾ teaspoons (3 grams) ground cardamom in the dough and 4 teaspoons (8 grams) ground cardamom in the cardamom filling.
Windowpane test: Pinch or cut—but don’t tear, because this damages the gluten strands—a small walnut-size piece of dough. Then gently and slowly pull and rotate the dough out from its center. If it tears or breaks during the stretch, give your dough another minute of work and then test again. If the dough is too hard to stretch, it’s been overmixed.
MAKING THE DOUGH
1. For dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1½ cups (191 grams) flour, granulated sugar, yeast, salt, and cardamom at low speed just until combined. Adding the flour in two additions guarantees all the ingredients are evenly incorporated into the dough.2. In a medium saucepan, heat milk and butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted and an instant-read thermometer registers 120°F (49°C) to 130°F (54°C). Add warm milk mixture to flour mixture; beat at medium speed until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Add egg; beat at medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Gradually add remaining 2¼ cups (286 grams) flour, beating just until combined and stopping to scrape bottom and sides of bowl. Heating the milk and butter to just the right temperature ensures the dough is warm enough for the perfect first rise but not so hot that it will kill the yeast.
GETTING KNEADY
1. Switch to the dough hook attachment. Beat at medium-low speed until a soft, smooth, elastic dough forms, 6 to 10 minutes. (Dough may still stick slightly to sides of bowl but should pass the windowpane test.) Turn out dough onto a clean surface, and shape into a round. To make sure the dough passes the windowpane test, pinch or cut—but don’t tear, because this damages the gluten strands—a small, walnut-size piece of dough. Then gently and slowly pull and rotate the dough out from its center. If the dough is properly kneaded, you will be able to stretch it—without tearing— until it’s thin and translucent. If it tears or breaks during the stretch, give your dough another minute of work and then test again. If the dough is too hard to stretch, it’s been overmixed.
TIME TO RISE
1. Grease a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Rising times vary depending on the environment, but keep in mind that the amount the dough has risen—the volume—is more important than how long it takes to rise.2. Punch down dough. On a clean surface, pat dough into a 10×6-inch rectangle. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to overnight.
PREP THE FILLING
1. For cinnamon filling: In a medium bowl, stir together butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.2. Alternatively, for cardamom filling: In a small bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and cardamom; reserve ¼ cup (50 grams) cardamom sugar in another small bowl. Stir butter, flour, and salt into remaining cardamom sugar until well combined.
FILL AND FORM
1. Let dough stand at room temperature for 5 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 25×10-inch rectangle, with one long side closest to you. Using an offset spatula, dollop desired filling onto dough, and spread in a thin, even layer to edges. Working from short sides, fold dough in thirds like a letter. Letting the dough stand at room temperature for a few minutes allows it to relax a little so it’s easier to roll it out. Dotting the surface of the dough with small mounds of the filling and gently spreading all over the surface helps you achieve a perfect, even layer.2. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
TAKING SHAPE
1. Roll dough into an 11×8-inch rectangle, with one long side closest to you. Using a pastry wheel or sharp knife, cut dough lengthwise into 15 strips (about ¾ inch wide each). Holding up one end of 1 strip vertically, gently pull dough in increments until strip is 22 inches long, being careful to keep an even thickness throughout dough so it does not tear. Holding bottom end of strip between index and middle fingers and thumb of one hand, loosely wrap dough strip three times around fingers of that same hand, overlapping dough slightly. Place thumb of same hand over overlapped dough strands to secure; wrap remaining end of dough perpendicularly, between index and middle fingers, and around overlapping dough strands to form a knot-like shape, tucking loose end under bottom of finished bun as you remove your fingers. Repeat with remaining strips, and place about 2 inches apart on prepared pans. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size and dough holds an indentation when gently pressed, 1 to 1½ hours. Making small notches at ¾-inch intervals gives you a guide to follow to continue cutting the strips of dough. If you can’t pull the strips longs enough without the dough springing back, cover with a kitchen towel, let stand for 10 minutes, and then return to it. Keeping the shaping loose is key—a loose knot gives the dough space to proof and expand before baking. Too tight and the strain against itself will cause the bun to unravel.
BRUSH, ADORN & BAKE
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).2. For topping: In another small bowl, whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon (15 grams) water; brush onto buns. Sprinkle with pearl sugar (if using) or reserved cardamom sugar as desired. The egg wash gives the buns a gloriously golden exterior and helps the cardamom sugar topping or the Swedish pearl sugar stick to the dough.3. Bake until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers at least 190°F (88°C), 15 to 20 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking. Immediately sprinkle with additional pearl sugar (if using) or any remaining reserved cardamom sugar as desired. Let cool on pans for 5 minutes. Serve warm. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. LEGGI TUTTO
Photo and recipe by Linda Lomelino Semlor, or the singular semla, are soft, almond- and cream-filled cardamom buns traditionally eaten on fettisdagen or Fat Tuesday as a celebration before the fasting period of Lent. These are best served the day they are made, but if you have any leftover buns, soak them in warm milk. […] LEGGI TUTTO
Photo by Joann Pai At Restaurant Mandel in The Wood Hotel by Elite in Skellefteå, Sweden, you’ll find a unique type of semmelwrap called Gáhkku Semla. Gáhkku is a flatbread that originated from the Sámi people, an indigenous population native to modern northern Sweden and areas of Norway, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. […] LEGGI TUTTO
Photography by Joann Pai / Styling by Linda Lomelino With a more-than-700-year history, the almond-and-cream-filled buns most commonly known today as semlor have been through many changes. Like king cake in parts of the United States, semlor are enjoyed between the Christian holidays of Christmas and Ash Wednesday, though, traditionally, they’re meant to be served […] LEGGI TUTTO
