Kanelbullar

What makes it kanelbullar

• A soft, enriched dough spiced with cardamom.
• A filling of butter, sugar and cinnamon, rolled and cut.
• Pearl sugar on top, not icing.

Where it comes from

The cinnamon bun is the centre of fika, the Swedish coffee break, and Sweden even gives it a day of its own, 4 October. It's often said to have become common after the First World War, when sugar, butter and white flour grew easier to come by.

Every Nordic country has one. Finland's korvapuusti — 'slapped ears' — are cut and pressed so the swirls splay out; Denmark's kanelsnegle are snails.