Pulla

The must bake Finnish cinnamon sweet buns. Usually served with a cup of strong coffee. If you ever visit Finland, impossible to avoid. My mum's recipe. We used to bake them every single Saturday. 

Ingredients

2 eggs

170g/200ml granulated or caster sugar

500ml milk

1 tbsp ground cardamom

50g of fresh yeast

(or 2 x 7g fast action dry yeast)

1 tsp salt

1.1 kg plain flour

150-200 g butter

For the filling:

Butter, granulated sugar, cinnamon

★★

Thick custard, vanilla sugar, choc chips

★★

Butter, sugar, currants, flaked almonds

Method

Warm the milk to lukewarm temperature

In a large bowl whisk together eggs and sugar

Add ground cardamom and salt

Pour in the warm milk and mix

Add the yeast and let it dissolve

Start adding the flour gradually 

Keep adding and kneading until you have incorporated all the flour and the dough is nice, soft and elastic 

(This usually takes around 15-20 mins)

Lastly knead in very soft (or melted) butter

If the dough feels too soft add little more flour

Cover the bowl with a tea towel or clingfilm and leave to prove in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This takes about 45-60 mins

Pour the proved dough on a floured kitchen surface and knock it back gently

Divide the dough in two 

Roll the dough out into a large rectangle
Spread generously with very soft butter
Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon

Roll into a long sausage shape

Cut into 1 inch long pieces

Place on baking tray lined with baking paper

Cover and let prove another 20 minutes or so
 until nicely risen
Eggwash and sprinkle little sugar on top
Bake in preheated oven 200°c for 10-15 mins
until golden brown on top and bottom

Enjoy with a lovely cup of coffee or tea!

Variation:
Laskiaispulla (Finnish), Semla (Swedish) 

Shape the dough into simple round balls without filling,
prove, eggwash and bake as above
Let them cool down and slice in half
Fill with jam or marzipan and whipped cream