Dec 13, 2011
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Saffron Buns

The secret to making these mildly sweet pastries—based on a recipe given to us by Gunilla von Heland, a food editor in Stockholm—is to steep the saffron in hot milk before incorporating it.
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Saffron Buns Enlarge Image Credit: Todd Coleman
MAKES 32 BUNS

INGREDIENTS

2 1⁄4-oz. packages active dry yeast
2 cups milk, heated to 115°

2 tsp. saffron, lightly crushed

3⁄4 cup plus 1 tsp. sugar

6 1⁄2 cups flour
3⁄4 tsp. kosher salt

3 eggs

12 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 1⁄2" cubes, softened
Canola oil, for greasing
64 raisins, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, mix together yeast, milk, saffron, and 1 tsp. sugar; let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining sugar, along with the flour, salt, and 2 eggs. Mix on low speed until dough forms and gathers around the paddle. Replace paddle with dough hook and add butter; knead on medium-high speed until dough pulls away from sides of bowl, 8 minutes. Transfer dough to a large bowl greased with oil and cover with plastic wrap; let rest in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 hour.

2. Divide dough into 32 pieces and roll each piece into an 8"-long rope. Form each rope into an S shape and then roll each end into a tight spiral. (See Shaping Saffron Buns for illustrated step-by-step instructions.) Place shaped dough pieces 2" apart on parchment paper–lined baking sheets; cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

3. Heat oven to 400°. Uncover the dough pieces and place a raisin at the center of each of the spirals. Lightly beat remaining egg with 1 tbsp. water and brush each bun with egg mixture. Bake until buns are golden brown and cooked through, 16 minutes. Transfer buns to a wire rack and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Saffron Buns

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #125

Ratings & Reviews (2)

noAvatar
ditto! Why put a full page feature photo and no recipe?? Can I apply to be an editor??

julkaka med saffran show me this recipe!!!
My Swedish hubby and I made these for Christmas. Although the flavor was authentic to the "lussebullar" I've had in Sweden, these were too dry. Not sure how to improve that. More butter, maybe? Will ask for my mother-in-law's recipe next time.
Saffron Buns 3 5 1 2

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