Follow This Recipe for Delicious Swedish Lussekatter St. Lucia Buns (2024)

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By

Kari Diehl

Kari Diehl

Freelance food writer who specializes in Scandinavian cuisine and is the author of "The Everything Nordic Cookbook."

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Updated on 01/23/23

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Prep: 2 hrs

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 2 hrs 15 mins

Servings: 20 servings

Yield: 20 buns

29 ratings

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Lussekatter, or St. Lucia buns, are traditionally eaten in Sweden on the 13th of December in celebration of Saint Lucia, the patron saint of light. Before the Gregorian calendar began in the 18th century in Sweden, the shortest day of the year and the winter solstice fell on December 13. Traditionally, the golden saffron-infused buns are served on the morning of the 13th by the eldest daughter of the family, who is dressed in a white robe with a wreath of candles crowning her head. Nowadays, St. Lucia buns are also prepared throughout the period of Advent, as well as on the solstice in celebration of light.

The buns are often formed into an "S" shape, resembling a curled up cat, with raisins for decoration to signify the eyes. They can be served warm from the oven with butter, or prepared in advance, frozen, and then defrosted in an oven or microwave.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon finely crumbled saffron threads, or 1 teaspoon powdered saffron

  • 1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 cup whole milk

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 2 packages (4 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast

  • 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • Raisins, or currants, for garnish

  • 1 large egg white

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Crumble the saffron threads into the melted butter. Let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour to infuse the butter with the saffron.

  3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk until it reaches the scalding point, or when small bubbles form all over the surface. Turn off the heat and stir in the melted butter, sugar, and salt. Pour the mixture into large mixing bowl and cool until cool to touch but still warm. Stir in the yeast and let stand for 10 minutes.

  4. Mix 3 1/2 cups flour into the liquid to blend and then stir in the 2 beaten eggs. Add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough (the dough should pull away from the sides of the bowl), without adding too much flour and drying out the dough.

  5. Transfer the dough to a large greased bowl and turn to evenly coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

  6. Punch down the risen dough and lightly knead 2 or 3 times on a floured surface. Pinch off small handfuls of dough, about 2 1/4 inches in diameter, and roll into ropes or "snakes," about 3/4-inch in diameter. Shape the snakes into "S"-shaped buns or other desired shapes. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover with the towel and let rise again until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

  7. Preheat the oven to 375 F.

  8. Brush the buns with the remaining egg white and then decorate the buns with the raisins. Transfer to the oven and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

  9. Serve and enjoy.

Tip

Be sure to decorate the buns with raisins after glazing the dough with the egg white, to prevent the raisins from burning.

How to Store and Freeze

  • These buns are best the day they're made, but they can be stored for up to 2 days in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Refresh them in a warm oven for about 10 minutes before serving.
  • You can make these ahead of time and freeze for later use. Simply bake and cool, wrap in foil, then place in a freezer bag, and freeze. Thaw overnight on the counter. If you want, oosen the foil and warm them in the oven until toasty again.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
285Calories
11g Fat
41g Carbs
6g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 20
Amount per serving
Calories285
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g14%
Saturated Fat 6g31%
Cholesterol 54mg18%
Sodium 124mg5%
Total Carbohydrate 41g15%
Dietary Fiber 1g5%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 28mg2%
Iron 2mg12%
Potassium 96mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • buns
  • breakfast
  • scandinavian
  • christmas

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Follow This Recipe for Delicious Swedish Lussekatter St. Lucia Buns (2024)

FAQs

What does Lucia mean in Sweden? ›

Alongside Midsummer, the Lucia celebrations represent one of the foremost cultural traditions in Sweden, with their clear reference to life in the peasant communities of old: darkness and light, cold and warmth. Lucia is an ancient mythical figure with an abiding role as a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters.

Why is it called lussekatter? ›

Why is it called Lussekatter? It is thought that the buns were originally modeled after a sleeping cat (the S-shape being the curled up tail), believed to ward off the devil.

Is Santa Lucia Swedish or Italian? ›

The Festival of St. Lucia, which is traditionally celebrated on December 13, begins the Christmas season in Swedish custom. The so-called "Festival of Lights" stems from the fourth-century martyrdom of an Italian saint and the incidents which followed.

What are St Lucia buns called? ›

Originally, the buns were called djävulskatter (“devil cats”), but later the name changed to the more polite lussekatter (“Lucia cats”). The dough is sweet and soft, but spiced with a generous amount of saffron to make it bright yellow.

How do Swedes pronounce Lucia? ›

Lucia (pronounced Lu-chée-a in Italian and Lu-sée-a in Swedish) was born in Sicily, an island of the coast of Italy, in the third century A.D. During this time, Sicily was part of the Roman Empire and it was against the law to be a Christian. St.

Why do Swedes celebrate St. Lucia? ›

The festival marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Scandinavia, and it is meant to bring hope and light during the darkest time of the year. Schools generally close around noon on the day of the festival so that families can prepare for the holiday.

When to eat lussekatter? ›

St Lucia buns, or Lussekatter are Swedish buns eaten for breakfast with coffee or as an afternoon treat on the 13th December, or St Lucia Day. The saffron gives a lovely cheerful appearance to the buns, which is just perfect in the depths of the dark winter (and especially so in Sweden!).

What animal is St. Lucia known for? ›

The nation's best-known species is the gorgeous but endangered Saint Lucia amazon parrot. Other species of conservation concern include the pencil cedar, staghorn coral and Saint Lucia racer. The racer, confined to the nine-hectare island of Maria Major, is thought to be the world's most threatened snake.

What countries eat Lucia buns during the Christmas season? ›

In short, The festival of St. Lucia begins the Christmas season in Swedish custom, and she comes as a young girl crowned with fresh greens and lit candles carrying a tray of baked goods. These sweet, spiral buns are traditionally served on this day.

Is St. Lucia French or Dutch? ›

Although St Lucia is a former British colony, the French settled in the 17th Century. Their influence lives on in the patois spoken in the country.

How do you make lussekatter without saffron? ›

If you don't have saffron or simply want to make St Lucia buns without saffron, you can use turmeric instead, to give the lussekatter their classic yellow color. Or some people choose to add turmeric on top of the saffron, to make the buns extra yellow.

What is the most popular dessert in St. Lucia? ›

Cuccìa, the dessert of Saint Lucia

One of the most famous desserts, whose paternity has always been disputed between Palermo and Syracuse, cuccìa is a spoon dessert made with ricotta cheese, boiled wheat, candied fruit and chocolate drops.

What are the three types of buns? ›

There are numerous types of buns, but some popular ones include: Hamburger buns. Hot dog buns. Brioche buns.

What is the history of Lucia in Sweden? ›

Lucia celebrations are a highlight of the winter, and a long-standing tradition. The first Lucia procession at Skansen was held back in 1893. The story of Lucia began in Sicily around the year 283. Since then, old pagan traditions have been combined with Swedish customs, giving rise to new traditions.

What does the name Lucia stand for? ›

Lucia means “light” and it is often associated with Saint Lucia, a martyr from the 4th century AD, who is the patron saint of the blind. The name Lucia is often associated with light, guidance, and hope. It's a name that evokes the feeling of beauty and elegance.

What is Lucia Day in Sweden? ›

December 13 is Luciadagen or “Lucia Day,” on which Swedes celebrate the coming of light in the darkness. The day was originally timed to the Julian calendar which marked midwinter — the winter solstice — slightly earlier than we do today (December 21 or 22).

What is the Lucia Bride of Sweden? ›

National Lucia Bride of Sweden (in Swedish: Sveriges Lucia) was a competition for Swedish females. The winner of the competition would be the "Lucia Bride" heading traditional Lucia processions on December 13, Saint Lucy's Day.

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