COZY ADVENT TRADITION | The brightest celebration of the year

St. Lucia comes with a tray of Swedish Christmas Fika. A cozy advent tradition that spreads brightness and light into a dark winter.

St. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13th. It is a beloved and important celebration in Sweden, such as Norway and Finland. A bright and comforting tradition that originally came from the Italian saint Lucia, who was killed for her belief in helping the less fortunate.

The tragic event has become one of the brightest days of Advent since it is celebrated with a lot of candles. They are carried by a Lucia herself as a crown on her head. She arrives early in the morning, carrying a tray of a very special Swedish fika, and saffron buns that we so much love in December.

Her crown and tray have historical significance. St Lucia was said to provide food for the poor hiding in the catacombs. In the darkness, she had to light up her way by carrying candles in a crown since she had her hands full. The tradition of her unselfish act of kindness has become a celebration that almost every Swede looks forward to. The arrival of light in one of the darkest days of winter.

Saffron buns, or Lussekatter as it is called in Sweden, have become an iconic treat in this bright and cozy advent tradition.

These treats might not have any direct connection with the original St Lucia. However, by that time it has become associated as a natural and highly expected part of the Swedish Christmas Fika culture of Advent.

It is saffron spiced buns, shaped in an iconic S-shape, with a raisin in each swirl. It is an inviting treat, well worth enjoying from the tray on St Lucia, with the first drops of coffee, early in the morning of December 13th.

Saffron Buns (a.k.a Lussekatter)

You will need:

• 1 bag of dry Yeast
• 1/2 tsp. Saffron threads (finely crumbled, or 1 tsp. powdered saffron) The ones we get comes in small bags.
• 3.5 tablespoons Butter (50 grams)
• 1 and 1/4 cups of Milk
• 1/3 cup of Sugar
• A pinch of Salt
• 3 cups of Flour (give or take)
• 1 egg (beaten, to brush over them before they go in the oven)
• Raisin (for decoration)

For a vintage printable recipe card of this recipe:

For as little as a cup of tea, you can get exclusive perks and BTS. We’d love for you to be our “fika friend”!

Directions:

Part 1: Place the Yeast in a bowl. In a pot, melt Butter, add Milk, and warm
up until it’s body tempered. (warm, not hot) Pour the mixture over the
Yeast, add the saffron, and stir until dissolved. Add Sugar, Salt, and Flour, (little by little) Let it rest under a kitchen towel for 30 mins.

Part 2: Work the dough on a floured bench. Cut it into about 20 equal
pieces. Roll each piece to about 8 – 10 inches long (they will rise later.)
Make them to the iconic S shapes. Add the raisins. (See illustration)
TURN THE OVEN ON NOW (400 F) while the buns rest under a towel
for 30 minutes on the baking sheet.

Part 3: Brush them with the beaten egg,
Bake for 10 mins, more or less. (Do keep your eyes open, they should
be a little golden.) GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY!