Lussekatter (Swedish Sweet Saffron Buns)

Mildly sweet saffron buns. Recipe published in Saveur magazine, December 2009.

• Ready In: 1 hr 46 mins
• Serves: 32
• Yields: 32 buns

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 2  cups milk, heated to 115 F
• 2  teaspoons saffron, lightly crushed
• 1  teaspoon sugar
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 6 1⁄2 cups flour
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3  eggs
• 12  tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, softened
•  oil, for greasing
• 64  raisins, for garnish
• 1  tablespoon water

Directions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, mix together yeast, milk, saffron, and 1 teaspoon sugar; let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.
2. Stir in the remaining sugar, along with the flour, salt and 2 of the eggs. Mix on low speed until dough forms and gathers around the paddle. Replace paddle with dough hook and add butter; knead on medium-high speed until dough pulls away froms ides of bowl, 8 minutes. Transfer dough to a large bowl greased with oil and cover with plastic wrap; let rest in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 hour.
3. Divide dough into 32 pieces and roll each piece into an 8-inch long rope. Form each rope into an S-shape and then roll each end into a tight sprial (maintaining S-shape). Place shaped dough pieces 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets; cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
4. Heat oven to 400°F Uncover the dough pieces and place a raisin at the center of each of the spirals. Lightly beat remaining egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush each bun with egg mixture. Bake until buns are golden brown and cooked through, 16 minutes. Transfer buns to a wire rack and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.