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5 from 1 vote

St. Lucia Saffron Buns

December 13, St. Lucia Day, also known as the Festival of Light, is a day of celebration in Sweden,
Prep Time2 hours
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: St. Lucia Saffron Buns
Servings: 12 buns
Calories: 178kcal
Author: Luda huang

Equipment

  • oven

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup milk 175 ml
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
  • 1 teaspoon plus 1/4 cup 50 g white, granulated sugar
  • One 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast check the expiration date on the package to make sure it's still good!
  • 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • The seeds from 3 cardamom pods ground (optional)
  • 1/4 cup 1/2 stick, 4 Tbsp, 56 g unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup of sour cream
  • 1 egg beaten

Instructions

  • Heat milk, saffron, sugar: In a small pot, heat the milk, saffron, and 1 teaspoon of sugar together until the milk is steamy. Remove from heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. Let cool until about 115°F, or warm to the touch, but not hot.
  • Sprinkle the yeast over the warm saffron-infused milk and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  • Whisk flour, sugar, salt, cardamom: In the bowl of a stand-up mixer* whisk together 3 1/2cups (490 g) of the flour, remaining 1/4 cup of sugar, salt and ground cardamom (if using).
  • Make a well in the center of the flour and add the yeast milk saffron mixture, the eggs, the butter, and the sour cream. Mix the ingredients until well incorporated.
  • Knead the dough: Switch to the dough hook of your mixer (if using, otherwise knead by hand). On low speed start to knead the dough. Slowly add additional flour, a tablespoon at a time, kneading to incorporate after each addition. Do this until the dough is still a little sticky to the touch, but does not completely stick to your hands when you handle it.
  • Let dough rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap.
  • Let sit in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
  • Form dough into S shapes: When the dough has doubled in size, gently press it down and knead it a couple of times. Break off a piece and form it into a ball about 2 inches wide (60 to 70 grams if you are weighing). Roll the ball out into a snake, about 14 inches long.
  • Then Curl the ends in opposite directions, forming an "S" with spirals at each end. Place on a lined baking sheet and repeat with the rest of the dough.
  • Let sit for second rise: Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough shapes double in size, 30 minutes to an hour.
  • Brush with egg wash, place raisins on buns: Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Using a pastry brush, brush some beaten egg over the tops and sides of the uncooked buns. Place raisins in the centers of the "S" spirals.
  • Bake: Place in the oven and bake at400°F (205°C) for about 10 to 11 minutes (turning halfway through cooking to ensure even browning), until the buns are golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before eating.

Nutrition

Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 117IU | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg