Ingredients
**For the buns:**
– 1.2 oz (35g) fresh yeast
– 1½ cup (36 cl) milk
– ½ cup (120g) melted butter
– ½ cup (100g) white sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 Tablespoon crushed cardamom
– 1 Tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
– 6¼ cups (750g) all-purpose flour
**For the filling:**
– 1 Tablespoon freshly ground cardamom
– ½ cup (120g) butter, at room temperature
– ¼ cup (50g) white sugar
– 2 Tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
**For the glaze:**
– ¼ cup (6 cl) water
– ⅓ cup (50g) sugar + 3 Tablespoons sugar
– 1 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
– 1/2 Tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
**For the dough:**
1. In a bowl, crumble the fresh yeast and stir in a few tablespoons of milk. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast is dissolved.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture, remaining milk, and melted butter.
3. Add the rest of the bun ingredients and knead the dough for 10-15 minutes, either by hand or with a stand mixer. Cover the dough and let it rise for 30 minutes until it almost doubles in size.
**For the filling:**
1. Crush the cardamom seeds and mix them with room temperature butter and sugar. Add the freshly grated orange zest, then set the mixture aside.
**Assembly:**
1. Roll the dough into a large rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the cardamom-orange filling over half of the dough lengthwise.
2. Fold the empty side over the filled side.
3. Cut the dough into 2 cm strips. You should have about a dozen strips.
4. Shape the buns by wrapping a strip around your thumb and fingers twice, then looping it around one last time and tucking the end underneath. Repeat with all strips.
**Baking:**
1. Place the shaped buns on lined baking sheets, leaving space for them to rise. Cover and let them rise for about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
**For the glaze:**
1. Heat water and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Set the syrup aside. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining sugar with cardamom and orange zest.
2. Bake the buns for 7-8 minutes until golden brown. Brush with syrup and sprinkle the sugar-cardamom-orange zest mixture on top. Let them cool completely before serving.