Saint Lucia Buns (Lussekatter) Recipe
Description:
Immerse yourself in the vibrant tradition of Saint Lucia Day with these delectable saffron-infused buns, known as Lussekatter in Swedish. Celebrated with unparalleled enthusiasm in Sweden on December 13th, Saint Lucia Day honors the Italian Saint Lucia with a fervor that outshines even the festivities in her homeland. These golden-hued buns, shaped into intricate designs reminiscent of earlier Christmas celebrations in Sweden, are an essential part of the day’s celebrations, symbolizing warmth, light, and the promise of the coming holiday season. Embrace the spirit of Swedish tradition with this authentic recipe passed down through generations of the Santesson Family.
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Prep Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Servings: 24 buns
Ingredients:
- 300ml milk
- 1 pinch saffron threads
- 50g baker’s yeast
- 150g sugar
- 125g butter
- 700g all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- Pinch of salt
- Raisins for decoration
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 180.6
- Fat: 5.2g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20.6mg
- Sodium: 47.2mg
- Carbohydrates: 29.5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 6.3g
- Protein: 3.9g
Instructions:
- In a pan, melt the butter or margarine over low heat, then add the milk and saffron. Warm the mixture until it reaches a temperature of 37°C (100°F), ensuring to use a thermometer for accuracy.
- Crumble the baker’s yeast into the warm milk mixture, stirring gently until dissolved.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dissolved yeast mixture with sugar, butter, and margarine. Ensure that these ingredients are at a temperature of 21-23°C (72-75°F).
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
- Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen, gently knead it on a floured surface and divide it into 25-30 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round bun.
- Allow the buns to rest for a few minutes, covered by a cloth.
- Roll each bun into a string approximately 15-20 cm long, then shape them into an “S” or double “S” design, ensuring the ends of the string meet.
- Press a few raisins into each bun for decoration.
- Cover the buns with a cloth and let them rise again for 40 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 250°C (475°F).
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a pinch of salt. Brush this mixture over the risen buns.
- Place the buns in the preheated oven and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until they are golden brownish-yellow in color.
- Once baked, remove the buns from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy the warm, aromatic goodness of these Saint Lucia Buns, perfect for sharing with family and friends during the festive season! 🌟🇸🇪
