Swedish Lucia Breads

Vegetarian
Health score
3%
Swedish Lucia Breads
45 min.
22
254kcal

Suggestions


Bring a touch of Scandinavian festivity to your kitchen with these delightful Swedish Lucia Breads! Ideally enjoyed during the celebration of St. Lucia's Day on December 13th, these golden, saffron-infused treats are not only a feast for the eyes but also a scrumptious addition to any table. With their soft texture and sweet, buttery taste, they serve as a perfect antipasti, starter, or snack for gatherings, family breakfasts, or cozy evenings at home.

The signature flavor of saffron gives these breads their distinctive color and aroma, inviting everyone to indulge in their warmth. Each piece is intricately shaped into a figure reminiscent of the number eight, symbolizing the light that Lucía herself brought into the darkness of winter. To enhance the experience, these breads are adorned with plump raisins, adding a delightful burst of sweetness in every bite.

In just 45 minutes, you can create a batch of 22 delicious Swedish Lucia Breads that are sure to impress your family and friends. Whether enjoyed plain or spread with a touch of cold butter, these vegetarian delights are a wonderful way to celebrate the season's joy and warmth. So roll up your sleeves and embrace the process of baking; soon, the inviting scent of these breads will fill your home, creating cherished memories for all who partake.

Ingredients

  • cup butter melted
  •  eggs beaten
  • pounds flour all-purpose
  • 44  raisins 
  • 0.1 ounce saffron threads 
  • teaspoon salt 
  • 0.5 cup caster sugar 
  • cups water lukewarm
  • 1.5 ounces yeast 

Equipment

  • bowl
  • baking sheet
  • baking paper
  • oven
  • mixing bowl
  • wire rack
  • kitchen towels

Directions

  1. Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a mixing bowl, then add the saffron and keep stirring until the mixture turns yellow.
  2. Add the melted butter. In a separate mixing bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then stir in the sugar and raisins.
  3. Pour the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until the dough comes cleanly from the edge of the bowl. Knead the dough on a floured counter for 10 minutes, until it is shiny but not sticky.
  4. Put the dough back in the bowl and let rise for 1 1/2 hours at room temperature.
  5. Lightly knead the dough again on a floured counter. Divide into 22 equal pieces.
  6. Roll them into sausages then curl the ends so that each piece is shaped like the number eight. Put one raisin in the middle of each circle.
  7. Place the breads on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, cover with dish towels, and let rise again for 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  9. Brush the risen breads with beaten egg.
  10. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown all over.
  11. Let cool on a wire rack. Eat them as they are, or spread with cold butter.
  12. From The Scandinavian Cookbook by Trina Hahnemann. Text copyright © 2008 by Trina Hahnemann; photography © 2008 by Lars Ranek. This edition published in 2009 by Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC.

Nutrition Facts

Calories254kcal
Protein8.52%
Fat32.29%
Carbs59.19%

Properties

Glycemic Index
14.72
Glycemic Load
26.43
Inflammation Score
-5
Nutrition Score
8.387391316502%

Flavonoids

Kaempferol
0.33mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:254.18kcal
12.71%
Fat:9.14g
14.06%
Saturated Fat:5.45g
34.09%
Carbohydrates:37.7g
12.57%
Net Carbohydrates:35.99g
13.09%
Sugar:4.66g
5.18%
Cholesterol:29.62mg
9.87%
Sodium:178.34mg
7.75%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:5.42g
10.85%
Vitamin B1:0.54mg
35.93%
Folate:122.12µg
30.53%
Selenium:14.89µg
21.27%
Vitamin B2:0.3mg
17.46%
Manganese:0.34mg
16.84%
Vitamin B3:3.23mg
16.15%
Iron:2.04mg
11.33%
Fiber:1.71g
6.83%
Phosphorus:64.44mg
6.44%
Vitamin A:269.51IU
5.39%
Vitamin B5:0.48mg
4.84%
Copper:0.08mg
3.83%
Zinc:0.48mg
3.22%
Magnesium:11.51mg
2.88%
Vitamin B6:0.05mg
2.72%
Potassium:78.96mg
2.26%
Vitamin E:0.29mg
1.9%
Calcium:11.58mg
1.16%
Source:Epicurious