Saffron Buns (Lucia Buns)
"Traditional buns to be served on St. Lucia's Day (December 12). Recipe source: The Finnish Cookbook"
Ingredients
Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (59.6 g)
- Calories 141.7
- Total Fat - 3 g
- Saturated Fat - 1.4 g
- Cholesterol - 30 mg
- Sodium - 89.7 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 25.7 g
- Dietary Fiber - 2.8 g
- Sugars - 7.2 g
- Protein - 4.8 g
- Calcium - 29.7 mg
- Iron - 1.1 mg
- Vitamin C - 0.1 mg
- Thiamin - 0.2 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
In a bowl combine the egg and sugar. In a bowl dissolve yeast in the water. In a separate bowl or measuring cup add salt to the milk.
Step 2
In a large bowl combine the egg, yeast mixture and milk mixture; and then beat or stir in 4 cups of flour.
Step 3
Stir in butter and then add remaining flour, mixing until a stiff dough is formed. Turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth.
Step 4
Place dough in a greased bowl, turn to coat all sides and then let rise until doubled (1 - 1/2 hours). Punch down and let rise again until doubled.
Step 5
To shape into the Lucia Buns, on a floured board, pinch off pieces of dough about 2 inch or so (about size of an orange) and roll into strands 6 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. With a sharp knife, cut dough from both ends toward the center, leaving 1/2 inch uncut in the center.
Step 6
Turn each send out and up towards the middle (the buns will look like a four-leaved clover).
Step 7
Put a raisin in the center of each leaf (you need to push in the raisin or they will fall off when baked).
Step 8
Repeat for remainder of the dough.
Step 9
Place buns of a lightly greased baking sheet and let rise for 20 minutes or until puffy.
Step 10
Bake in a 375 degrees F oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 11
Prepare glaze by placing coffee and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove form heat and brush on the buns while they are still warm.
Tips
No special items needed.