Semla - Traditional Swedish Cream Bun

Ingredients

All-purpose flour

4 cups

Active dry yeast

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet)

Granulated sugar

1/4 cup

Milk

1 cup, warm

Unsalted butter

1/4 cup, melted

Ground cardamom

1 teaspoon

Salt

1/2 teaspoon

Almond paste

1 cup

Whipped cream

2 cups, for filling and topping

Powdered sugar

for dusting

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, sugar, cardamom, and salt to combine.
2. Pour in the warm milk and melted butter. Stir until a dough begins to form.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it feels smooth and elastic.
4. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
6. Once risen, punch down the dough gently and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round bun.
7. Arrange the buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a kitchen towel and allow them to rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Bake the buns for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
9. Remove the buns from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
10. Once cool, carefully cut off the top of each bun and set the tops aside. Scoop out some of the center to create a hollow for the filling.
11. In a bowl, mix the almond paste with a small amount of whipped cream to soften it, creating a smooth filling.
12. Generously fill each bun with the almond paste mixture, then top with a dollop of whipped cream.
13. Replace the reserved tops on each bun, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.