In Swedish culture, there’s a tradition called Fika—a time to pause, slow down, and enjoy a hot beverage alongside a sweet treat. During the busy holiday season, I find it especially important to take a Fika and carve out moments of rest. One of my favorite ways to relax is by baking a favorite pastry to enjoy and share with my family.

With some recipes, the process of making them is just as enjoyable as the final result. This lemon cardamom bun is one such recipe. I spent a wonderful, rainy morning baking with my mom and daughter as the scents of cardamom, yeasty dough, lemon, and sweet milk filled our home. Every step invites you to slow down and savor the moment, and the final product is a perfect reward for your efforts.

Cardamom buns are a traditional Scandinavian treat, but this recipe adds a little twist by incorporating the flavors of lemon and poppy seeds. They make the perfect complement, and the layers of dough, filling, and icing meld together to create a deliciously balanced impression.

Because the lemon and cardamom are incorporated into multiple steps of the recipe, the flavor is bold, yet still balanced by the soft, flaky dough. The poppy seed frosting looks so pretty drizzled across the twisted bun, and if you bring them to a holiday get-together, they’re sure to be a huge hit. At my house, however, they were gone before I had a chance to share. We enjoyed them warm from the oven with freshly brewed coffee—a perfect Fika to end a quiet, restful afternoon.

Take some time to slow down and make these for yourself. Find many of the ingredients here in our farm market. Citrus fruits like lemons are excellent this time of year. We’d love to hear what you think!

Lemon Cardamom Bun with Poppy Seed Frosting

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Time: 2 hours (30 minutes active)

Makes 10-12 buns

Author: Abbi Shaeffer
Prep Time: 30 min prep, 1.5 hour rise
Cook Time: 30 min cook
Total Time: 2 hours 30 min

Ingredients

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1 1/4 cup Milk
1 tbsp sugar
3 whole cardamom pods
3 tbsp butter
4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 egg

Filling:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp poppy seeds

Frosting:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp poppy seeds

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Instructions

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the milk, cardamom pods, sugar, and butter. Heat on low until warm enough for the butter to melt. Be careful not to bring it to a boil or let it get too hot, because it will kill the yeast. If you do heat it too much, allow it to cool.
In a stand mixer, add the flour, salt, ground cardamom, and yeast. Combine, then add the lemon zest, egg, and warm milk mixture. Using a dough hook attachment, combine until a soft elastic dough forms. Transfer to a covered bow and allow to rise for one hour.
To make the filling, add the butter (at room temperature), brown sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and poppy seeds to a small bowl. Combine using a fork until a thick, evenly mixed paste forms.
When the dough has risen, roll it out into a large rectangle, approximately 18×22 inches. Spread the filling mixture evenly over the inside.
Starting at the long edge on one side, fold the dough into thirds to make a rectangle that is now 6×22 inches. Roll it again with a rolling pin just until all the layers are well adhered together.
Cut the rectangle into strips along the short edge, so they are about 6 by 1 inch. You should get 20-24 strips. Take two strips, and twist independently in opposite directions, and then together. Take the double twist and wind it around your fingers twice, tucking the end through the middle to make a round bun shape. Repeat with the rest of the strips. Since you use two strips per bun, you should wind up with 10-12 buns.
Cover the rolls loosely and allow to rise for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375. If you want, you can add an egg wash to add to the golden color.
After they rise, bake for 20-35 minutes or until golden brown.
While they bake, mix the frosting by combining the powdered sugar, milk, and poppy seeds in a small bowl with a whisk.
Take the rolls out of the oven and allow to cool slightly before drizzling with frosting. Enjoy!