Lussekatter (Swedish Sweet Saffron Buns)

Submitted by swissms

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

 

• Ready In: 1hr 46mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Yields: 32 buns
• Serves: 32

ingredients

• 2 (1/4 ounce) 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.