RECIPE: AFGHAN CINNAMON BUNS

Perfect served with cardamom tea or coffee. Best enjoyed with a new or old friend.

Dough:

4 cups flour ½ cup melted butter, cooled to room temperature 1 egg ½ cup powder sugar ½ tsp. cardamom 1 tbsp. vanilla extract 1 cup warm milk 1 packet yeast 2 tbsp. water pinch of salt

Filling:

1.5 cup brown sugar ¼ cup cinnamon ½ cup butter, softened ¼ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Finish: Honey for drizzle 2 tbsp. melted butter Optional: ¼ cup coarsely chopped pistachios

In a small bowl, combine yeast with 2 tbsp water and mix. Leave it on the counter to sit for 10 minutes.

Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the egg, melted butter, vanilla, cardamom, warm milk and salt. Mix well. Add yeast and water mixture, mix until blended.

Slowly add the flour folding together until the dough is formed.

Rest the dough on the counter, cover with a kitchen towel, until it doubles in size.

While the dough is rising, mix together all ingredients for the filing in a medium bowl.

Once the dough has doubled in size, preheat the oven to 380 degrees

Forming the dough: Form the dough into a big rectangle shape about 1 inch thick, not too thin or too thick.

Spread the filing over the dough. Make sure all parts have an equal amount of filling, and don’t forget the corners.

Roll the dough across the long side of the dough Using a new piece of sewing thread or piece of dental floss, cut the roll into ½ inch slices. Arrange rolls, swirl side up, on a cookie sheet sprayed with oil.

Bake about 30 minutes until they double in size. Remove from oven, and allow to cool. While still warm, drizzle with honey, pistachios, and melted butter over top. Enjoy them fresh.