1. Whisk together sugar and yeast in a small bowl. Add 240ml (1 cup) of milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

2. Combine flour, salt, and ground cardamom in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add softened butter, yeast mixture, and the remaining 240ml (1 cup) of milk to the dry ingredients. Mix until a smooth dough forms.

4. Knead the dough for 10-12 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth.

5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.

6. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).

7. Punch down the dough and divide it into 44 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball then flatten it slightly into an oval shape.

8. Place the dough pieces onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 2.5cm (1 inch) of space between each bun.

9. Brush the tops with egg and sprinkle with pearl sugar.

10. Bake the buns for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.