Korvapuusti (Cinnamon Cardamom Swirls)

Step 1

Pour 0.75 cup whole milk into a small saucepan and warm it over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear around the edges but it does not boil, about 3 minutes.

Step 2

Remove the milk from heat and stir in 4 tablespoons softened butter until completely melted and no lumps remain.

Step 3

Pour the warm milk-butter mixture into a large bowl.

Step 4

Add 2.25 teaspoons instant yeast and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar to the bowl and let sit for 1 minute without stirring so the yeast activates.

Step 5

Whisk the yeast mixture vigorously for 30 seconds until foamy, breaking up any yeast clumps.

Step 6

Add 2.5 cups flour to the bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until no dry flour remains and a shaggy, sticky dough forms, about 1 minute.

Step 7

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature until puffy and nearly doubled, 30–35 minutes.

Step 8

Set the oven to 400°F and wait until the indicator light or beep tells you it has finished preheating, about 10 minutes.

Step 9

Dust a work surface lightly with flour, then turn the risen dough out onto it.

Step 10

Using your hands, gently stretch and pat the dough into a rectangle roughly 12 inches wide and 8 inches tall, with the longer edge facing you.

Step 11

Stir 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon and 0.5 teaspoon ground cardamom together in a small bowl until evenly combined.

Step 12

Sprinkle the cinnamon-cardamom mixture evenly across the entire surface of the dough rectangle.

Step 13

Starting from the edge closest to you, roll the dough tightly toward you like a scroll, pressing gently as you roll so it holds together.

Step 14

Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled dough crosswise into 8 equal pieces, each about 1.5 inches wide, wiping the blade clean between cuts.

Step 15

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 16

Arrange the 8 swirls cut-side up on the parchment paper, spacing them 2 inches apart so they have room to rise.

Step 17

Sprinkle 0.375 tablespoon pearl sugar evenly over the top of each swirl.

Step 18

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated 400°F oven on the middle rack.

Step 19

Bake until the swirls are puffed and the surface turns the color of warm honey with the edges slightly darker, 12–14 minutes.

Step 20

Remove the baking sheet from the oven using oven mitts and set it on a heat-safe surface to cool for 5 minutes before serving.