With these buns I would be dragging a parallel between cultures. In my area, Lucia buns are called Luca buns and more like without saffron... :-) We use cheese and salt instead, and they have a different meaning. Those eye shaped Lucia buns are sweet and all about illuminating the day which is the shortest day in the year. The other ones are salty and served to relatives - for the living and for those who passed away. The nickel in the bun brings the richer upcoming year for the one who finds it.
Ingredients for salty Luca buns
- 2 tsp of yeast
- 3+1 cups of flour
- 2 cups of lukewarm milk
- 1 tsp of sugar
- 3 tsp of salt
- 1 cup of butter
- 2 cups of grated cheese
Ingredients for saffron Lucia buns
- 1/4 cup of hot water
- 1/4 tsp of saffron
- 1/2 cup of lukewarm milk
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 3 tbsp of butter
- 1 1/4 tsp of salt
- 2 tsp of yeast
- 3 cups of flour
Method
Knead the dough out of the ingredients listed above... Off course, 1/2 cup of butter and the grated cheese will be used while folding the dough. Leave the dough to rest for half an hour until puffy. Spread the dough on the surface afterwords and cream it with some butter. Fold the dough from each side to the center and spread it again. Now sprinkle the grated cheese on it, fold it and spread it again. Do the same until you have butter and cheese. Spread the dough and cut the circle shaped buns. Use egg yolk for topping and season the buns with salt and sprinkle with sesame or some other seeds. Boil the nickels in water and press them into the bun center. Bake the buns for 25-30 minutes on 400 F degrees.
Method
Make a soft and elastic dough using the ingredients listed above. Leave it to rest until it double itself. Spread the dough on the surface and cream it with butter. Fold the dough from each side to the center. Spread it once again and cream it. Fold the dough and spread it again. Cut the stripes and shape them into S tucking the ends nicely. Every S has to have raisins in the middle. Top the buns with egg yolk and season them with sugar. Leave it to rest in pan until the oven reaches temperature of 400 F. Bake them for 25-30 minutes.
