What if I don't have any saffron?

Saffron gives Lussekatter their traditional golden color and unique flavor. For a similar color, you can substitute a pinch of turmeric, but the flavor will be different.

Can I use a different type of yeast?

Yes, you can use an equal amount of instant yeast. If you do, you can skip the step of proofing the yeast in milk and add it directly to the dry ingredients.

Why is my dough so sticky?

This is a soft, enriched dough, so it will be slightly sticky. Be sure to knead it long enough and resist adding too much extra flour, which can make the buns dry.

How should I store Lussekatter?

Lussekatter are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are baked. However, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Golden Lussekatter: A Taste of Swedish St. Lucia's Day

Name: Golden Lussekatter: A Taste of Swedish St. Lucia's Day
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 24 buns
Cuisine: Swedish
Ingredients: 1/2 tsp Param Kesar® saffron threads; 1 tbsp granulated sugar or vodka; 1 ½ cups (360ml) whole milk; 2 ¼ tsp (7g) active dry yeast; ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar; ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled; 4 to 4 ½ cups (480g - 540g) all-purpose flour; ½ tsp salt; 1 large egg, for egg wash; Raisins or currants, for decoration

The best Lussekatter recipe for authentic Swedish saffron buns. Soft, fluffy, and beautifully golden with real saffron for St. Lucia's Day.

In the heart of the Swedish winter, as darkness reigns, a festival of light emerges. St. Lucia's Day brings with it processions of white-gowned singers, candlelit crowns, and the unparalleled aroma of freshly baked saffron buns, or Lussekatter. These golden, S-shaped pastries are more than just a holiday treat; they are a symbol of warmth, a sweet promise of the sun's eventual return, and a tradition steeped in sensory delight. The scent of saffron and cardamom-scented dough filling a warm kitchen is a comfort against the cold, a moment of pure, festive hygge. The soul of a true Lussekatt is its vibrant golden hue and ethereal flavor, which cannot be replicated with anything other than genuine saffron. To achieve that signature, sun-drenched color and deeply aromatic taste, we turn to the finest saffron threads. Infusing the milk with a generous pinch of Param Kesar® saffron is the foundational step, a small act of alchemy that transforms the simple dough into something truly magical. The threads release their essence, painting the milk a sunset orange and imparting a flavor that is at once floral, earthy, and subtly sweet—the nostalgic taste of Christmas in Scandinavia. There is a quiet joy in the making of Lussekatter. The soft, pliant feel of the saffron-infused dough as you knead it, the meditative process of rolling and shaping each bun into its traditional serpentine form, and the final flourish of placing a dark raisin in each swirl. As they bake, your home fills with a perfume that is both comforting and celebratory. Serving them warm from the oven, perhaps with a cup of coffee or glogg, is to partake in a cherished ritual, a delicious beacon of light in the darkest part of the year.