There’s something deeply satisfying about starting your day at 6 a.m., not for a flight or a meeting, but to shape buttery, fragrant swirls of dough into something delicious for the people you work with. Last week I baked a batch of Walnut Maple Orange Cardamom Buns for the sales team at our Philly office. They were a huge hit and reminded me how much joy I find in baking and sharing my creations.

The recipe comes from one of my culinary inspirations, Claire Saffitz. If you’ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of baking videos on YouTube, chances are you’ve seen her work. I’ve been following Claire’s videos for a while now, and her approachable, thoughtful style has been a constant source of inspiration. I even have a signed copy of her book, Dessert Person, which has become a staple on my kitchen shelf.

These buns are a beautiful marriage of warm spices and bright citrus, with a rich, nutty crunch from the walnut topping and a sticky-sweet maple glaze tying everything together. The orange cardamom filling is deeply aromatic; and when paired with Claire’s classic vanilla cream cheese frosting, the result is an irresistible treat that’s both homey and elevated.

I did as much prep the night before as possible. That included making the dough, mixing the filling, chopping and toasting the walnuts, and whisking together the frosting. Come morning, all I had to do was roll, shape, proof and bake. It was a peaceful way to start the day, and the pre-sunrise wakeup felt worth it when I opened the oven and caught that first whiff of warm spice and citrus.

When I walked into the office carrying a tray of still-warm buns, I felt proud of what I’d made. The glowing reviews from my co-workers were the cherry on top — or, in this case, the final swirl of cream cheese frosting.

Baking has always been a personal joy for me: part challenge, part therapy. I love the satisfaction of nailing a complex recipe, but even more, I love sharing what I make with family, neighbors and friends. This experience reminded me how important it is to make time for the hobbies that truly bring joy. Whether it’s early-morning baking or late-night reading, these small acts of joy are always worth it. Here’s to more mornings that start with cardamom and maple, and more days filled with the quiet happiness of doing what you love and sharing it with the people around you.

— Fiona Stewart, account executive