Danish Cinnamon Swirls

To create the dough, combine warm milk and cake yeast in a mixing bowl. Use your hands to gently incorporate the fresh yeast into the milk. Next, add softened butter, beaten eggs, ground cardamom, granulated sugar, and salt to the bowl. Gradually incorporate 3 1/2 cups of flour into the mixture using a wooden spoon, taking care to avoid lumps. If the dough proves too sticky, add an additional 1/2 cup of flour to help it come together. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes.

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by creaming together butter and sugar in a medium-sized bowl until smooth. Incorporate ground cinnamon into the mixture, ensuring it is evenly distributed. Set the filling aside to await its union with the dough.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until it becomes firm, approximately 3 minutes. Divide the dough into two equal portions; shape each portion into a rectangular form, no more than 1/2-inch thick. Spread each rectangle with half of the prepared filling.

Stack one dough rectangle on top of the other, aligning their edges and positioning them filling-side up. Roll the dough into a long log, commencing at its edge closest to you. Cut the log into 1-inch-thick slices.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or grease a suitable baking dish or 2 cake pans if you prefer to bake pull-apart rolls.

Arrange the rolls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving approximately 3 inches of space between each roll. If you are baking pull-apart rolls, place them in the greased baking dish or cake pans, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Position any uneven end pieces on the baking sheet cut-side up, as this will enhance their visual appeal. Allow the rolls to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Bake the rolls in the preheated oven until they are golden brown, approximately 10 minutes. Pull-apart rolls will require additional baking time: After 10 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue baking until the sides are fully set, approximately 10 minutes more. Cover the baking dish with foil if the rolls become too brown during the additional baking time.