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Danish Cinnamon Snails

Danish Cinnamon Snails (Kanelsnegle) are a traditional Scandinavian pastry, featuring soft, buttery dough infused with cardamom and filled with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture. Unlike American cinnamon rolls, these have a lighter texture and a flaky, golden crust. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with coffee or tea, these pastries are a must-try for any baking enthusiast.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
  • 3 (0.6-ounce) blocks fresh yeast
  • 6 ½ tablespoons butter (room temperature)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (or as needed)

For the Filling:

  • ⅔ cup butter (softened)
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. In a mixing bowl, pour warm milk and mash in fresh yeast.
  2. Add butter, eggs, cardamom, sugar, and salt, and mix well.
  3. Gradually mix in 3 ½ cups flour, stirring with a wooden spoon.
  4. If the dough is too sticky, add the remaining ½ cup flour.
  5. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Filling

  1. In a medium bowl, beat together butter and sugar until creamy.
  2. Stir in cinnamon and set aside.

Step 3: Roll and Shape the Dough

  1. Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead until firm (about 3 minutes).
  2. Divide the dough in half and roll each into a rectangle (½-inch thick).
  3. Spread each rectangle with ½ of the cinnamon filling.
  4. Stack one rectangle over the other (filling-side up) and roll tightly into a log.
  5. Cut the log into 1-inch-thick slices.

Step 4: Let Rolls Rest

  1. Place rolls 3 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet (or arrange in a cake pan for pull-apart rolls).
  2. Let them rest for 20 minutes at room temperature.

Step 5: Bake

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Bake for 10 minutes until golden brown.
  3. For pull-apart rolls: Reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) after 10 minutes and continue baking for 10 more minutes, covering with foil if needed.
  • Author: Paula
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert / Pastry
  • Cuisine: Scandinavian / Danish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 15
  • Calories: 301 per serving