Description
Soft, aromatic sweet rolls infused with crushed pistachios and warm cardamom, offering a unique Middle Eastern twist on classic cinnamon rolls. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these pistachio cardamom rolls are tender, flavorful, and topped with a delicate drizzle of rose water-infused icing.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
Filling:
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ½ cup finely chopped pistachios
Icing:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk or cream
- ½ tsp rose water or vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm milk mixed with sugar and let it stand for 5 minutes until frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Prepare Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, egg, flour, salt, and the activated yeast mixture. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, which should take about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-7 minutes with a mixer.
- First Rise: Cover the dough with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape Dough: Roll the risen dough into a large rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar, ground cardamom, and chopped pistachios evenly on top.
- Form Rolls: Starting from one long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log shape. Slice the log into 9 equal rolls and place them cut side up in a greased baking pan or dish.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls and let them rise again for 30 minutes, allowing them to puff up.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare Icing: While the rolls bake, mix powdered sugar with milk or cream and add rose water or vanilla extract if using, stirring until smooth.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the rolls are out of the oven and slightly cooled, drizzle the icing over the warm rolls. Optionally, top with extra crushed pistachios for garnish before serving.
Notes
- Top the finished rolls with additional crushed pistachios for a visually appealing and crunchy finish.
- Rose water in the icing adds a subtle floral note complementing the cardamom and pistachios but can be omitted or substituted with vanilla extract.
- Ensure the milk for activating yeast is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute some of the milk with cream in the dough.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern-Inspired
