Raw "korvapuusti"

The finnish famous baked cinnamon bun, the korvapuusti is an ear-shaped bun bursting of flavors of cinnamon, cardamom and sometimes even saffron and raisins. The dough is traditionally a yeast dough, laden with sugar, butter, milk and bleached wheat flour. This dough is then rolled out, spread with butter, cinnamon and more sugar, rolled up and cut and shaped.

It is often sprinkled with almond slices and/or sugar before going in the oven.

Although I'm not accustomed and not usually enjoy traditional finnish foods, the korvapuusti is one exception. For years I've been making my own version, which I thought was healthier, with whole wheat flour, raw cane sugar/fructose, vegetable oil. Well, now I know better:

Raw "Korvapuusti" (13 pcs):

The dough:

Roughly two cups almond pulp (left over from making almond milk)

1C flax meal (buy ground or grind yourself)

1C soft, dried, pitted dates

1/8C (filtered) water

1/4C coconut oil

Cardamom, garam masala, salt, cinnamon to taste

I used a food processor fitted with an S-blade. First I blended the dates with water separately, then added other ingredients. Use common sense with the consistency, if it seems too dry add water/coconut oil, if it is too wet add nuts/flax meal. Roll out on a non-stick surface. I was able to do this with a regular, wet wooden rolling pin. You might want to put another non-stick or teflex sheet on top to get it uniformly thick. I dehydrated my dough for less than an hour before spreading the filling at around 100 F, it might not be necessary.

Filling:

1C dates

1/2 C raisins

1 tbsp cinnamon

1/4C water

1/2 brazil nuts (if you have time, soak and dehydrate)

Blend until consistency is suitable for spreading on the "dough". Then simply spread evenly and roll up.

Cut into 13 (or so) pieces, and flatten them with a knife from the center (on top).

Fix the shape if necessarily, sprinkle with coconut. Store for a day or two in the fridge, if you want them to keep longer freeze.

I guess these are mostly meant for Christmas, but if you enjoy the aromatic spices cinnamon and cardamom, these make a wonderful addition to a healthier "coffee table".

Edit: These taste even better after staying overnight in the fridge! I had the hardest time limiting myself to just one.