Saint Lucia's Buns

(This recipe makes about 20 buns)

In Scandinavian communities, Saint Lucia is celebrated on December 13 as the bringer of light in a dark time. Young girls dress in long white dresses with red sashes and balance wreath crowns with lighted candles on their heads.

The Lucias serve saffron-flavored buns that are shaped like the letter "S." Saffron is a very expensive spice made from a rare flower.

Our lazy cook's version of St. Lucia's Buns isn't spiced with saffron, but it is a quick, kid-friendly recipe.

Ingredients for Saint Lucia's Buns You will need: 3/4 cup of butter (1-1/2 sticks) 2 cups milk 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoons yeast 2 eggs (separate one egg so that its yolk can be brushed over the rolls) 7 cups flour plus some for rolling 1 tablespoon water 2 raisins for each bun
Saint Lucia's Buns Recipe Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Pour milk into the melted butter and stir for a minute. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the honey and the sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the milky mixture. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes, until the yeast is frothy. Stir in the whole egg and the egg white of the second egg. Beat in the flour, one cup at a time, until the dough is just firm enough to handle. Flour your working surface and take a small snowball-sized ball of the dough. Roll the dough into a rope about 12 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Form the rope into a tight, curly "S" shape on the greased baking sheet. After you have formed all the buns, cover them with tea towels and let rise for half an hour. Pre-heat the oven to 475 F. Beat 1 tablespoon water with the egg yolk that you have set aside. Brush the egg yolk mixture over the buns. Place a raisin into each inside curl of the buns' "S"s. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes until light brown If you bake these for too long, the raisins will burn!

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