Lussekatter are soft, fragrant Swedish saffron buns traditionally baked for St. Lucia’s Day in December. These golden pastries symbolize warmth and light during the long winter nights, offering a comforting blend of delicate sweetness and rich saffron flavor. Perfect for sharing with loved ones, they bring a cozy touch to cold, dark days.
Ingredients
- 1 gram saffron threads
- 2 tbsp white sugar to crush with saffron
- 250 ml whole milk
- 25 g fresh yeast or 7 g active dry yeast
- 100 g unsalted butter
- 100 g granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 550 g all-purpose flour
- raisins for decoration
- 1 egg yolk 1 tbsp milk (for brushing)
Instructions
- Soak the saffron: Grind saffron with 2 tbsp sugar. Warm the milk (not boiling), stir in saffron mixture, and let it steep for 15–20 minutes until bright yellow.
- Prepare the dough: Dissolve yeast in saffron milk (if fresh yeast) or sprinkle dry yeast on top. Add sugar, melted butter, salt, egg, and most of the flour. Mix and knead until soft and elastic (about 10 minutes by hand).
- First rise: Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Shape the buns: Divide dough into 20–24 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and curl the ends in opposite directions forming an "S". Place a raisin in each curl.
- Second rise: Place buns on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise for 30–40 minutes while preheating the oven to 200°C (390°F).
- Bake: Brush buns with egg yolk mixed with milk. Bake for 8–10 minutes until golden and shiny. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Lussekatter – golden buns that smell like December mornings in Sweden ✨❄️
There’s this moment in Sweden, right around mid-December, when everything feels still. It’s cold, often snowy 🌨️, and daylight slips away way too early. And yet, somehow, it feels... magical. Maybe it's the candles in windows 🕯️, or the scent of something baking in the kitchen. For many, that scent means one thing: lussekatter — those golden saffron buns that only seem to show up once a year, and never stick around for long 😋.
A little warmth in a cold season 🧣
On December 13th, Swedes celebrate Lucia Day, or Luciadagen. It’s a holiday that’s all about light — literally. Kids dress in long white robes and carry candles while singing traditional songs about Saint Lucia 🎶, who, as the story goes, wore a crown of burning candles to light the way through the darkness 🔥👑. And after all that? There’s usually coffee ☕. And lussekatter. They're soft, slightly sweet, twisted into elegant, swirly shapes, with a couple of raisins tucked into the curls. It’s the kind of food that doesn’t just fill your stomach — it fills the whole room with warmth and coziness 🏡🫶.So, what are these buns exactly? 🍞💛
Lussekatter are made from enriched dough, but it’s saffron 🌼 that makes them special. Just a pinch of this golden spice gives the buns their deep yellow color and a flavor that’s floral, slightly earthy, and unforgettable. They’re not overly sweet and definitely not complicated. But take a bite while they’re still warm and fluffy, and trust me — it’s like sunshine in bread form ☀️.How do Swedes enjoy them? 🇸🇪
There’s no wrong way. Some have them at breakfast with butter and jam, others during fika (a cozy coffee break), and many enjoy them with a glass of warm glögg 🍷. You’ll find lussekatter at work, at school, or in bakeries around Lucia Day. But the best ones? Still warm, eaten at home, maybe with snow falling outside the window ❄️.A few fun facts 🎈
- Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, making these buns a bit of a luxury ✨.
- The “S” shape is believed to represent a cat’s tail 🐈 — a symbol once thought to ward off evil spirits.
- Tempted to swap saffron for turmeric? Don’t. The color might work, but the flavor is a no-go 🚫.
Final thoughts 🌟
Lussekatter aren’t about perfection — they’re about feeling. They’re about slowing down, sharing something warm, and celebrating light in the darkest time of year 🕯️💛. So if you’ve got an afternoon free and a bit of saffron in the pantry, give them a try. Light a candle, play some soft music 🎵, and bake yourself a bit of December magic. More Swedish recipes