Norwegian-Style Cinnamon Rolls Have A Unique Flavor The American Version Is Lacking

Who doesn't love a good cinnamon roll? It's a pastry so beloved that it's become a byword for something sweet and worth cherishing (Quoth The Onion: "Beautiful Cinnamon Roll Too Good For This World, Too Pure"). These days, it's easy enough to pop some Pillsbury cinnamon rolls in the oven, or to hit up a Cinnabon (unless you live in Maine or Vermont, the two states which haven't been blessed with a Cinnabon location). But what if you want to try something different? Why not make Norwegian-style cinnamon rolls, which are enhanced by the addition of cardamom?

As you might expect from a country that banned skateboarding for 11 years, Norway isn't necessarily out to bowl you over with bold, intense flavors. Its take on cinnamon rolls isn't overloaded with sweets and spice and icing like an American cinnamon roll might be. It's simpler, more focused on the flavor of the dough rather than a pure sugar rush. But if you make them right, that dough is pretty darn tasty. Enriched with cardamom, a spice popular in Scandinavian countries, they taste lighter and brighter than their American cousin. And here we thought Norway's hearty Norwegian Egg McMuffin was its primary culinary innovation!

Now, we admit that talking about a "Norwegian cinnamon roll" as though it's just one thing is not entirely accurate. There are actually a few different versions of a Norwegian cinnamon roll, all of which have names that are, frankly, delightful. The one you see in the picture above is called a kanelsnurr (a kanelsnurr!). Sometimes called a kanelknute, these treats are braided into tight little twists before baking.

There are kanelboller, which are shaped much like American cinnamon rolls but differ due to their cardamom-enriched dough and their lack of frosting. (As with all Norwegian cinnamon rolls, they're brushed with some syrup and dusted with a bit of pearl sugar.) There are also skillingsboller, which are a specific kind of kanelbolle local to the area around Bergen — the name comes from "skilling", a type of coin, and translates to "penny bun." Whatever you call them, they're all delicious accompaniments to a cozy morning watching the sun rise over the fjords. And if you want to watch the sun set, you can always have a hot dog for dinner, as Norway is weirdly obsessed with them.)