Skillingsbolle (Norwegian Cinnamon Buns)

My sister was here this weekend, so of course we had to have some Norwegian treats!    I made skillingsbolle for our brunch yesterday morning.  Mmmmm!  They're cardamom-spiced, filled with cinnamon sugar, and topped with pearl sugar.  They were just like we had from the bakeries in Norway when we visited my grandma as children!  Give them a try and let me know if you love them as much as I do!

Skillingsboller

~Norwegian Cinnamon Buns~

 1 cup sugar
¾ cup butter, melted

6 cups white flour

2 tsp. ground cardamom
 4 tsp. yeast
 2 cups lukewarm milk

 2 tbsp cinnamon
½ cup sugar

1 stick butter, softened

2 egg white, beaten lightly

Coarse sugar

Sprinkle yeast onto warm milk and allow to stand for 5 minutes.  In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat together the melted butter and sugar.  Add flour, cardamom, and milk mixture.  Beat on low until combined.  Change to dough hook attachment, and knead until dough is smooth and pulls away from sides of bowl.  Alternately, knead by hand until smooth and elastic.  Place dough in a bowl in a warm location and cover lightly.  Rise 1 hour.

Roll the dough into a long rectangle, about 18 inches long and 10 inches wide.   Spread dough with softened butter.   Sprinkle with ½ cup sugar and 2 tbsp. cinnamon. Roll up beginning on long side.  Slice into 18 to 20 pieces and place on two parchment paper-lined baking sheets.  Leave an inch or more between each roll.  Let rise on a pan 1 hour.  Brush with beaten egg white, then sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake at 325 degrees for 15-17 minutes until they are golden. 

 Yield 18 to 20 skillingsboller.