I wanted to do something a little different to the usual cinnamon rolls and having bought one orange to many for the previous day’s orange brownies I combined the orange flavour with cardamom and brown sugar. The taste and smell was incredible and may well become my new favourite.

Orange & Cardamom Buns

INGREDIENTS

For the Dough

• 400g strong white flour
• 7g easy blend yeast
• 60g caster sugar
• 10g salt
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 280ml tepid water

For the Filling

• 80g dark brown sugar
• 30g butter, softened
• 1 orange, finely grated zest only
• 1tsp ground cardamom

For the Topping

• 1 egg, beaten
• 3 tbsp sugar nibs

METHOD

1. Place the flour, yeast, sugar and salt into the bowl of your stand mixer with the dough hook attached.
2. Add the oil and water and mix together on a low speed. Increase the speed to medium and knead for 5 – 6 minutes until smooth and elastic. If you prefer you can knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes.
3. Cover the bowl with cling film or a shower cap and leave to rest in a warm place for 1 – 2 hours until at least doubled in size.
4. Meanwhile beat together the sugar, butter, orange zest and cardamom.
5. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle and spread with the butter mixture. Roll the dough up tightly starting from the short side.
6. Cut the dough into 12 pieces and place them well apart onto a greased or lined baking tray. Cover the buns with oiled cling film and leave to rise for another hour.
7. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan.
8. Brush the buns with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar nibs.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 – 20 minutes until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.