Description
Golden Swedish saffron buns shaped into charming S-forms, traditionally served for St. Lucia Day. Soft, lightly sweet, and fragrant with saffron (and optional cardamom), perfect for breakfast or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Milk
Saffron threads
White granulated sugar
Active dry yeast
All-purpose flour
Kosher salt
Ground cardamom (optional)
Unsalted butter, softened
Sour cream or quark
Large eggs
Raisins
Egg (for glaze)
Instructions
- Heat milk with saffron and a little sugar until steamy, then cool to warm temperature.
- Sprinkle yeast over saffron milk and let sit until foamy.
- In a stand mixer bowl, whisk flour, sugar, salt, and cardamom. Make a well and add milk mixture, eggs, butter, and sour cream. Mix until combined.
- Knead, adding small amounts of flour until dough is slightly sticky but not clinging to hands.
- Shape into a ball, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Punch down dough, divide into pieces, and roll each into a 14-inch rope. Curl ends in opposite directions to form an “S”.
- Place shaped buns on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise until doubled.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Brush buns with beaten egg and press raisins into spiral centers.
- Bake 10–11 minutes, turning sheet halfway through, until golden brown.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Swap raisins for dried cranberries for a tangy twist.
- Leave out cardamom for a more traditional saffron-only flavor.
- Brush with sugar syrup after baking for extra shine.
- Use almond milk and vegan butter for a dairy-free version.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Bread, Holiday
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
