Orange Cardamom Breakfast Bread Twist Recipe

Introduction

Enjoy the warm, comforting flavors of this Orange Cardamom Breakfast Bread Twist. With a tender dough, aromatic cardamom spice, and a zesty orange glaze, it’s perfect for a special morning treat or brunch gathering.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup milk, warmed to about 110°F (about 40 seconds in the microwave)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (if using table salt, use ½ teaspoon)
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 g / 2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold
• 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon cardamom
• Pinch kosher salt
• 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
• ¼ cup orange juice (or juice from one orange)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a measuring cup, warm ¾ cup milk in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir in the active dry yeast and allow it to bloom for 5 minutes until bubbly.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, egg, granulated sugar, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Using a grater, grate the cold butter onto a plate. Add the grated butter and flour to the bowl with the wet ingredients.
4. Step 4: Mix together with your hands until just combined. You can knead by hand or use a stand mixer with a dough hook until a dough ball forms.
5. Step 5: Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
6. Step 6: After rising, place the dough onto a floured surface and roll it out into a ½-inch thick rectangle.
7. Step 7: Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough, covering it completely.
8. Step 8: In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, orange zest, cardamom, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
9. Step 9: Starting from the longer side, roll the dough into a log and pinch the seam closed. Flip the log seam side down.
10. Step 10: With a sharp knife, cut the log in half lengthwise, stopping about 1 inch from one end.
11. Step 11: Lift one cut half of dough over the other, twisting gently. Repeat to create 2-3 twists.
12. Step 12: Hold one end and twist the dough into a ring, keeping the twisted layers facing up.
13. Step 13: Place the dough ring in a buttered 8 or 9-inch skillet. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
14. Step 14: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Uncover the dough and bake for 25 minutes. Then cover with foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until golden brown.
15. Step 15: While the bread cools slightly, whisk confectioner’s sugar and orange juice to make a runny glaze.
16. Step 16: After the bread has rested 10 minutes, pour the glaze over the top and let it soak in.
17. Step 17: Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use a vegan butter alternative.
• Try adding chopped nuts or dried cranberries to the filling for added texture.
• If you don’t have cardamom, cinnamon works well as a substitute.
• Make sure the yeast blooms properly in warm milk for the best rise.

Storage

Store the bread twist wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave before serving to refresh the flavors.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread twist ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and filling, then refrigerate the assembled bread twist overnight before the final rise and baking. Allow it to come to room temperature before baking.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

Mixing and kneading by hand works perfectly fine. It might take a bit longer but will yield the same delicious result.

Orange Cardamom Breakfast Bread Twist Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 131 reviews

This Orange Cardamom Breakfast Bread Twist is a delightful, aromatic bread perfect for a special breakfast or brunch. Soft, buttery dough is rolled with fragrant cardamom and bright orange zest, twisted into a beautiful ring, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a sweet orange glaze. The combination of citrus and warm spices makes this bread both comforting and refreshing.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• ¾ cup milk, warmed to about 110°F (about 40 seconds in the microwave)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (if using table salt, add ½ teaspoon)
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226 g / 2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold

Filling

• 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• Pinch kosher salt

Glaze

• 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
• ¼ cup orange juice (or juice from one orange)

Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Add ¾ cup warmed milk to a measuring cup, heat in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir in the active dry yeast and allow it to bloom for about 5 minutes until bubbly.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the room temperature egg, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Set aside briefly.
3. Add Butter and Flour: Using a grater, grate the cold unsalted butter onto a plate or cutting board. Add this grated butter into the wet ingredients bowl, then add the all-purpose flour.
4. Form the Dough: Using your hands, gently combine the ingredients until just incorporated. You can continue kneading by hand or transfer the mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and knead until the dough forms a smooth ball.
5. First Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for one hour until it roughly doubles in size.
6. Roll Out Dough: Lightly flour a clean countertop and place the risen dough on it. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to about ½ inch thickness into a rough rectangle shape.
7. Add Filling: Evenly spread the room temperature butter over the entire surface of the dough, reaching all edges. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, flour, orange zest, cardamom, and a pinch of kosher salt. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
8. Shape the Dough: Starting on the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log and pinch the seam to seal. Flip the log so the seam side is down.
9. Cut and Twist: Using a sharp knife, cut the log lengthwise in half, stopping about one inch from the end. Starting near the top where the cut ends, lift one of the halves over the other to twist the dough 2-3 times, creating a braided effect.
10. Form the Ring: Hold one end of the twisted dough and gently twist it into a circular ring shape, ensuring that the cut, layered sides face upwards to show off the twists.
11. Second Rise: Place the dough ring into a buttered 8-inch or 9-inch skillet. Cover and let the dough rise for another hour until puffed.
12. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cover from the skillet and place it in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes until the dough is golden brown. Then cover with foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to finish baking through.
13. Cool and Glaze: Remove bread from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together confectioner’s sugar and orange juice until smooth and runny. Pour the glaze evenly over the bread twist, allowing it to soak into all the nooks and crannies.
14. Serve: The bread can be enjoyed warm immediately or served at room temperature.

Notes

• You can substitute the orange juice in the glaze with freshly squeezed lemon juice for a tangier glaze.
• Ensure the milk is not too hot when blooming yeast to avoid killing the yeast.
• Using cold butter grated into the dough creates tender, flaky layers.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.
• The bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: orange cardamom bread, breakfast bread twist, sweet twisted bread, citrus cardamom bread, homemade breakfast bread