Finnish Butter Eye Buns "voisilmäpulla"

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk (5 dl)
• 50 g dry yeast
• 3/4-7/8 cup sugar (1 1/2 dl to 2 dl )
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1 egg
• 150-200 g butter (3/4 - 7/8 a cup)
• 6 cups flour (14-15 dl)
• butter, centers
• butter
• sugar
• 1 egg

Directions

1. 1

   Combine 2 cups Flour, the cardamom, yeast and salt. Set aside.

2. 2

   Combine milk, butter and sugar into a small pot.

3. 3

   Heat on the burner until just hot and butter is almost melted, stirring to dissolve sugar.

4. 4

   Add milk mixture and egg to flour mixture, beat on low for 1 minute and on high for 3 minutes (I have no electric mixer at the moment so I beat it with a spoon "really fast" for 3 minutes and it does the job just fine :).

5. 5

   Add in additional flour until dough is workable and turn out to a floured surface.

6. 6

   Kneed dough until it springs back when you touch it.

7. 7

   Let rise for an hour or until doubled in size.

8. 8

   Punch down and let rest for 5 minutes.

9. 9

   Make into rolls about the size of a small fist -- or however big or small you want them. The official recipe says 20 pieces. I think I come out with about the same.

10. 10

    Brush with beaten egg.

11. 11

    Make a thumb print into each roll and add 1/2 tsp butter and 1/2 tsp sugar.

12. 12

    Bake in the oven at 350 F for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

13. 13

    Serve with coffee or tea :).

14. 14

    The preparation time does include the hour to rise.