Author :: Mrs Liz
Category :: Holiday Fun
Ingredients ::
- 2 packages active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground or powdered saffron
- 2 cups milk, scalded and cooled
- 1 cup sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 eggs, slightly beaten
- 8 to 9 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 egg yolk, beaten, for glaze
- 1/3 cup raisins for decoration
A Christmas season bread of Sweden.
Tradition tells that the eldest daughter of a Swedish family will wear a crown of candles, and serve her parents coffee and these saffron flavored buns on St. Lucia's Day, December 13th.
Makes: 4 dozen buns
Prep time: 40 minutes
Rising time: 2 hours
Baking time: 15 to 20 minutes
Tip:
The buns can be made ahead and frozen.
Dissolve yeast in warm water; stir in saffron and milk, sugar, salt, eggs and half the flour. Beat vigorously.
Add melted butter. Slowly add remaining flour, mixing until stiff dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured board; let rest 15 minutes.
Knead 10 minutes, or until dough is smooth and satiny. Place in lightly greased mixing bowl. cover, and let rise in warm place (85 degrees) until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down; let rise again. Punch down and divide dough into quarters.
Divide each quarter into 12 parts. Shape into strands, 12 inches long. Coil ends to make different shapes. Brush with beaten egg yolk. Stick a raisin in each coil.
Cover. Let rise until almost dough (30 minutes). Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Serve warm.
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