Bullar

Bullar are Swedish sweet yeast buns that form a central part of Swedish bakery and coffeehouse culture. The term is a general plural for buns, with the singular bulle. They are typically enriched with dairy and butter, lightly sweetened, and flavored with spices such as cardamom. Bullar are commonly associated with fika, the regular coffee-and-snack ritual in Sweden, and are widely available in bakeries and supermarkets year-round.

The dough for bullar is usually made with milk, sugar, butter, and yeast, sometimes eggs, and it is often spiced with cardamom. After rising, the dough is rolled out, cut or shaped into rounds, twists, or knots, and baked until golden. Many bullar are finished with a glaze or pearl sugar, and some are topped with icing. The flavor profile ranges from subtly sweet to richly spiced, depending on the variety.

Among the best-known types are kardemummabullar (cardamom buns) and kanelbullar (cinnamon buns). Cardamom buns emphasize a fragrant spice note, while cinnamon buns are typically dusted with sugar and sometimes iced. Seasonal varieties include lussekatter or lussebullar, saffron buns eaten around Lucia Day in December. Different regions and bakeries also offer regional twists, such as buns with raisins, currants, or different fillings.

Overall, bullar exemplify traditional Swedish baking: soft, tender, yeast-leavened pastries that celebrate simple ingredients, aromatic spices, and a social habit of pairing them with coffee during daily gatherings.