Advent

 We had a really fun first day of Advent. Michael had to leave mid morning to go back to the city, but Olive and I managed to keep our spirits up with ice skating and making Swedish Lucia Buns. We used Green Kitchen Stories vegan version of this recipe and they turned out more dense than the traditional version, but still super yummy! We can't wait to eat more of these buns and see a "real Lucia girl" when we are in NYC next week.....stay tune for some fun city landscape shots! :)

Swedish Lucia Saffron Buns “Lussebullar”
Makes around 15 buns (can easily be doubled)

Recipe by: Green Kitchen Stories 

1 tbsp dry active yeast (or 25 g fresh active yeast)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 g (2 sachets) saffron powder
60 g organic butter
1 cup soy milk (non GMO)
5 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp almond butter (optional)
5 tbsp turkish yogurt or quark cheese
4 cups / 1 liter (450 g) spelt flour (we use half whole and half light)
30 raisins
1 egg yolk, beaten (for brushing)

Stir dry yeast, salt and saffron in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Melt butter in a medium size sauce pan, then add milk, maple syrup and almond butter and heat until 100F (40°C). Whisk vigorously to dissolve the almond butter. Pour the mixture into the mixing bowl with yeast. Add yogurt and stir around until dissolved. Add 2/3 of the spelt flour. Stir around with a wooden spoon until it is thick enough to knead with your hands. Add more flour until the dough is easy to work with and has formed into a round ball that doesn’t stick to your hands. Cover the bowl with a kitchen cloth and leave to rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until double in size and full of air pockets.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute, form it into the shape of a baguette. Divide it into 15 equal pieces and, using your hands, roll each piece into a long 1/2-inch ( about 1 cm) thick string. Then roll both ends tight in opposite direction into an S-shaped bun. Place buns, well spaced apart, on 2 baking sheets, cover with a cloth and set aside in a warm spot to rise for about 30 mins. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Brush the buns with an egg yolk or water and then place one raisin in each circle. Bake the buns until golden brown on top, about 7-9 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to let cool slightly. Serve. Preferably with freshly brewed coffee, tea or glögg.

Store buns in an airtight container for up to a week, but of course they taste best fresh from the oven.