How are Swedish cinnamon buns different from American cinnamon rolls?

They are less sweet, flavored with cardamom, and topped with pearl sugar instead of frosting.

Where do I find pearl sugar?

IKEA and many supermarkets sell Swedish pearl sugar; crushed sugar cubes are a substitute.

Kanelbullar (Swedish Cinnamon Buns)

Soft cardamom-scented yeast buns rolled with cinnamon butter, twisted into knots, topped with pearl sugar and baked until golden. The heart of the Swedish coffee break. Makes about 24.

Vegetarian Freezer-friendly

Contains: milk, egg, wheat. Based on the ingredients as written; check package labels, which can change.

From Sofia's recipes created, collected and generationally handed down in Sweden and the USA.

Prep 40 min
Cook 10 min
Rise 1 hr 45 min
Total 2 hr 35 min
Yield About 24 buns
Level Project

Updated November 4, 2026

Swedish cinnamon bun knots with pearl sugar in paper cups, one pulled apart, with coffee

Kanelbullar are less sweet and more fragrant than American cinnamon rolls. The dough is flavored with ground cardamom, the filling is just butter, sugar and cinnamon, and instead of frosting the buns are brushed with egg and scattered with crunchy pearl sugar.

Sweden even has a national cinnamon bun day, October 4. They freeze beautifully, so a big batch keeps fika supplied for weeks.

Ingredients

Dough

1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) instant or active dry yeast
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
3 1/2 to 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very soft
1/2 cup granulated or light brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Topping

1 large egg, beaten
Swedish pearl sugar

Flour for this recipeKing Arthur Baking Company makes all-purpose, bread, whole wheat and gluten-free flours.

Shop King Arthur flour

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What you’ll need

large bowl or stand mixer with dough hook
rolling pin
paper muffin cups
baking sheets
pastry brush

Instructions

Warm the milk. Heat the milk and butter until the butter melts, then cool to lukewarm, about 105°F.
Make the dough. In a large bowl, stir the yeast, sugar, salt and cardamom into the milk. Add the flour a cup at a time and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, by hand or with a dough hook, until smooth and slightly tacky.
First rise. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, until doubled.
Fill. Beat the filling ingredients together until smooth. Roll the dough into a 12 x 20-inch rectangle, spread with the filling and fold it in half lengthwise.
Shape. Cut into 1-inch strips. Twist each strip and tie it into a loose knot, tucking the ends underneath. Set the knots in paper muffin cups on baking sheets.
Second rise. Cover and let rise for 30 to 45 minutes, until puffy. Heat the oven to 425°F.
Bake. Brush with the beaten egg, sprinkle with pearl sugar and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden. Cool on a rack.

Vegetarian

Tips

To freeze: let it cool, wrap it well or seal it in freezer bags, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, or warm briefly in the oven.
Rolling the buns into simple spirals instead of knots works just as well.
Freeze cooled buns in a bag and warm them for 5 minutes at 300°F.

Storage and leftovers

Make ahead Freezer-friendly

Keep in a bag at room temperature up to 2 days. Freeze cooled buns in a bag up to 3 months and warm them for 5 minutes at 300°F.

Questions about this recipe

How are Swedish cinnamon buns different from American cinnamon rolls?: They are less sweet, flavored with cardamom, and topped with pearl sugar instead of frosting.
Where do I find pearl sugar?: IKEA and many supermarkets sell Swedish pearl sugar; crushed sugar cubes are a substitute.