There is nothing quite like waking up to the sweet, spicy aroma filling your kitchen with these Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe. Combining the bright zest of fresh orange with the warm, floral notes of cardamom, these buns offer a perfectly tender dough wrapped around a fragrant, buttery filling. Whether you need a special breakfast treat or an impressive addition to brunch, this recipe brings a delightful combo of flavors and an irresistible golden glaze that will have everyone asking for seconds. I’m excited to share this cozy favorite with you and help you start your mornings on a deliciously flavorful note!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making these buns is a breeze with a handful of simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role—from the tender, buttery dough to the fragrant, zesty filling and that shiny, luscious glaze that finishes everything off beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for your dough, providing structure and a tender crumb when kneaded just right.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the dough, filling, and glaze, balancing the spices and citrus brightness.
- Instant yeast: The magical leavening agent that makes your buns rise and become wonderfully fluffy.
- Fine sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and adds depth by balancing the sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted butter: Used in the dough, filling, and glaze—this rich fat creates tender layers and adds a luscious mouthfeel.
- Whole milk: Contributes to softness and richness in the dough for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Egg: Binds the dough and adds richness for a more tender crumb.
- Fresh orange zest: Bursting with citrus oils, it brings a lively brightness and aroma to the filling.
- Ground cardamom: This warm, floral spice pairs beautifully with orange, making the flavor profile uniquely enchanting.
- Fresh orange juice: Used in the glaze to enhance the orange flavor and add a beautiful, tangy sweetness.
How to Make Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking together the dry ingredients—flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt—in a large bowl. In a small pan, gently melt the butter and warm the milk until it’s just warm to the touch. Slowly whisk this warm liquid into a beaten egg before combining it with the dry mix. The dough will start shaggy and sticky—that’s perfect! Add flour gradually until it begins pulling away from the bowl, then knead it until smooth and elastic. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled—about 40 minutes. This step sets the foundation for tender, airy buns.
Step 2: Make the Filling
While the dough rises, mix sugar and fresh orange zest in a bowl, rubbing them together to release fragrant citrus oils. Stir in ground cardamom and a pinch of salt—this mixture is what will give these morning buns their signature aromatic flavor.
Step 3: Shape the Buns
Once risen, roll your dough into a neat rectangle and brush it with melted butter, leaving a border around the edges. Divide the dough mentally into thirds, sprinkle half the spiced sugar mixture in the middle, then fold your dough like a letter. Brush, sprinkle the rest of the filling, and fold again to lock in the flavors. Roll it once more, trim the edges, and slice into strips. Twist each strip into a loose rope, forming a little bow by tucking the ends through a hole you create in the center. Place each crafted bun on parchment-lined sheets and allow a second rise, gently covered, ensuring the dough puffs perfectly.
Step 4: Bake and Glaze
Preheat your oven and bake those beautiful buns until golden brown and puffed—rotating pans halfway through ensures even baking. While they bake, prepare the glaze by heating fresh orange juice with sugar until smooth, then stirring in cardamom and butter for a luscious finish. Once out of the oven, brush the buns generously with this glaze—it’s the final touch that makes them sticky, shiny, and extra flavorful.
How to Serve Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe even further, consider garnishing with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of extra orange zest right before serving. A few bright, fresh mint leaves can add a lovely pop of color and fresh aroma that complements the citrus-spiced flavors.
Side Dishes
These buns make a fantastic companion to a cup of freshly brewed coffee or chai tea, whose spicy warmth parallels the cinnamon-like notes of cardamom. For a heartier breakfast spread, serve alongside creamy yogurt topped with honey and toasted nuts for contrast in texture and a burst of richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try placing the buns in a rustic basket lined with a colorful linen for a cozy brunch vibe. Alternatively, serve them warm with small ramekins of marmalade or clotted cream to turn your kitchen table into an inviting café. These presentation ideas make your Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe feel extra special and welcoming.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra buns (though unlikely!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and fresh without losing that lovely glaze.
Freezing
You can freeze these morning buns either before baking or after glazing. Wrap each bun individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen buns keep well for up to one month, making it easy to enjoy a freshly baked treat anytime.
Reheating
To bring frozen or leftover buns back to life, warm them in a preheated oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through—this refreshes their soft texture and revives the glaze’s mellow shine and flavor without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?
Yes, you can! Just be sure to proof the active dry yeast in lukewarm milk with a pinch of sugar for about 5-10 minutes until foamy before adding it to the flour mixture. This extra step helps activate the yeast properly.
Is cardamom essential to this recipe?
Cardamom is a key flavor that gives these buns their distinctive, warm aroma. While you could substitute with cinnamon or omit it, you’d miss the uniquely fragrant pairing it creates with the orange zest.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to the first rise, cover it well, and refrigerate overnight. Bring it back to room temperature before shaping your buns for best results.
How do I ensure my buns come out soft, not tough?
Use whole milk and butter as called for, don’t over-knead the dough, and avoid baking too long. Letting the dough rise adequately and gently folding during shaping helps create tender layers.
What if I don’t have fresh oranges for zest and juice?
Fresh orange zest and juice really brighten the flavor, but if necessary, you can use bottled orange juice and dried zest. Just keep in mind fresh ingredients give the best aroma and brightness to your Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe.
Final Thoughts
These Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe have quickly become one of my favorite ways to brighten up any morning. Their perfect balance of citrus and spice wrapped in tender, buttery layers is pure comfort and joy in every bite. I encourage you to try making them yourself—it’s a rewarding bake that fills your kitchen with enticing aromas and your table with smiles. Once you have these buns on your weekend menu, you’ll wonder how you ever started the day without them!
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Orange Cardamom Morning Buns Recipe
Delight in these fragrant Orange Cardamom Morning Buns, a soft and tender sweet bread swirled with a spiced orange zest and cardamom filling, glazed with a citrusy cardamom syrup for a perfect morning treat. These buns are easy to make with simple ingredients and offer a delightful aromatic start to your day.
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 buns
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 all-purpose 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, about 95-110°F (35-43°C). Crack the egg into a small mixing bowl and whisk. Slowly add the butter/milk mixture in a thin stream while whisking constantly until fully combined. Add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients and fold together until a shaggy dough forms that pulls away from the bowl. Gradually add more flour in 2 tablespoon increments until the dough pulls away slightly.
- Knead and rise: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-6 minutes until smooth. Form into a ball and place in an oiled bowl, coating all sides with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place for 40 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the filling: Combine sugar and orange zest in a small bowl. Rub together with fingers to release oils. Stir in ground cardamom and a pinch of salt.
- Shape the buns: Return the dough to a floured surface. Roll out dough with a floured rolling pin into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with 3 tablespoons melted butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border on all sides. Mentally divide dough into thirds lengthwise. Spread half the sugar mixture over the middle third (a 12×6-inch section). Fold one short side over the center to make 12×12 inches. Brush the folded section with remaining melted butter and sprinkle remaining sugar mixture over it. Fold the other short side over to make 12×6 inches. Press edges closed with rolling pin. Turn dough so seam is down. Roll out into a 14×8-inch rectangle.
- Cut and twist: Trim 1/2-inch from each short edge. Slice dough into 12 strips. Take each strip and twist the ends to form a loose rope, then loop ends crossing for a small hole, tucking them to secure. Place buns on parchment-lined baking sheets spaced about 6 inches apart.
- Second rise: Cover buns loosely with wax paper or parchment and let rise for 25-30 minutes in a warm, draft-free place. The buns will barely change size but finger indentation should remain. Tuck any loose ends back into centers.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F placing racks in center positions. Bake buns for 10 minutes, then rotate pans front-to-back and top-to-bottom. Bake an additional 7-8 minutes or until golden brown.
- Make the glaze: While baking, combine orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until sugar dissolves (3-5 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in cardamom and butter until combined.
- Glaze and serve: Brush the warm buns with the orange cardamom glaze. Best enjoyed the day they are baked. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day.
Notes
- Ensure the milk and butter mixture is warm but not hot (95-110°F) to avoid killing yeast.
- Kneading the dough well develops gluten for a tender, fluffy texture.
- The buns do not rise dramatically on the second rise but should pass the indentation test (poke and it holds).
- Store leftovers in an airtight container but best eaten fresh for maximum flavor and texture.
- Use fresh orange zest for best citrus aroma and brightness.
- You can substitute cardamom with cinnamon if desired for a different spice profile.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Sweet Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
