Ask the 8 year old what her future Master Mind subject might be, and I would hazard a guess it might be different celebrations and festivals. Whether it’s because she is exposed to so many (yesterday she bought home a dradel, I actually had no idea what one looked like) and has a learned affinity, or perhaps it’s because she has a natural leaning towards anthropology, who knows? Whatever the reason, she actually knows an awful lot more about such things than I do…
On my recent Aebleskiver making day, I learned that the Swedish celebration of Saint Lucia was on December 13th, and madam completely surprised me with how much she already knew about it… Luckily granny was still staying with us, so she came up with the goods in the form of a home made headdress, and I found a few Christmas candle holders and a few tiny white candles. For health and safety reasons, we ignored the pleas of her younger brother for the candles to be lit on the headdress itself whilst it was on her head, and she was instead content to hold a fairly chubby lit candle, and pose for a photo…
Apparently the one bit about the tradition she’s not overly keen on is the bit about the eldest daughter serving the rest of the family breakfast on St. Lucia Day, in the form of coffee, chocolate and Lucia Buns (although she was happy to wear the headdress whilst eating her cornflakes this morning!) which is a shame, because I made the buns just in case…. (and I took the series of pics above to prove it as they are for sale in the freezers of a certain blue and yellow scandinavian household furniture company right now, and I wouldn’t want you thinking I had been cheating now would I?!)…
As with the aebleskiver, I slightly adapted the recipe from my beloved copy of The Scandinavian Cook Book. Seriously, if you don’t own a copy, do put one on your Christmas list…
Swedish Lucia Bread (makes 10-12)
20g fresh yeast (or dried equivalent),
250ml warm (not hot) milk,
3g saffron,
100g butter melted,
500g plain flour,
half teaspoon of salt,
50g caster sugar,
50g raisins.
- Crumble (or dissolve the dried yeast) the yeast into the warm milk, add the saffron and the melted butter and stir through;
- Sift together the flour and salt, and then add the sugar and raisins;
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and stir until the dough comes away from the edge of the bowl;
- Knead on a floured surface (or in a food mixer) for 10 minutes;
- Place the dough back into a bowl and leave to rise for an hour and a half at room temperature;
- Knock the dough back, and lightly knead again.
- Divide into 10-12 equal sections, and roll into sausage shapes around 20cm long.
- Curl one side in one direction, and the other side in the other until you get a shape a bit like a number 8 (or a fat snowman according to “Saint Lucia”);
- We like our Saint Lucia buns with a few more raisins, but they don’t usually contain so many, if you like to follow tradition though, place a raisin at the centre of each “swirl”…
- Place spaced out on a lined baking tray, cover with a slightly damp tea towel, and leave again for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 180DegC;
- Brush the buns with beaten egg and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Leave to cool, slice in half and spread with butter. Serve in lieu of your own household’s “Saint Lucia” who claims she is on strike.
Enjoy!
Thanks for linking up your beautiful traditional Swedish Lucia bread to #tastytuesdays Please do add my badge or link back if you can/like x
Thank you… Just catching up after weeks of guests. Will add all badges etc. later! :)
These look wonderful! Do link up to #tastytuesdays if you like!
Thank you…. Will pop over! :)
Oh wow. Once again in awe of your baked goods. Wonder if it’s too late to amend that Christmas wish list…
It’s never too late Mandy! Thank you! :)
I think I might just put that cookbook on my Christmas list – or my post Christmas, buy for myself, list. Plus, I should have bought one of the Swedish Dala horses and never did: that’s going on my list too.
I have a bit of a Swedish Dala horse problem… They are so beautiful aren’t they? Thanks Trish! :) PS. You will love the book!
What a nice tradition, and those look lovely
Thanks Alison! :)
I had never heard of Saint Lucia before…. always good to learn something new. Love your daughter’s head dress, just as as well those candles weren’t lit! X
Thank you…. She is a sensible girl (sometimes!)! :) x
Yummio to the maxio! Ho ho ho and merry feed-my-face-mas !
Thank you Annie! :) x
what a beautiful picture of your daughter and i must try those buns out yum
They are good, thanks Helen! :)
I learned about this yesterday from my nephew who is living in Sweden at the moment. It sounds like they had a fabulous day
I do miss Scandinavia sometimes! Thank you! :)
I’m with the younger brother, I’d have lit those candles!
Bet he wouldn’t have wanted them lit on his own head!! :D
What a lovely tradition. You live in a magical place :)
Thanks Rachel! :)
I was in the yellow and blue store this week and there were St Lucia celebrations going on, missed the buns though! They look extremely good. Sounds like you have such a fun run-up to Christmas in your house :)
Thank you! It is probably my favourite time of year! :)
She looks so sweet in that headdress, Emma :) And what a lovely thing for her to be an expert at – festivals that are rooted in so many different cultures.
The bread looks absolutely delicious, and I bet much much better to taste than that big-company freezer!
They are aren’t they? Thank you Pia x
I love the first pic. Your son saying the candles should be lit – typical boy! : )
I know, quite quite typical! :D I guess they light them in Sweden though! :D
I had never heard of this festival…how lovely. Those photos are simply stunning, especially the top one!
Thank you… Glad you like them! :)
I’ve never heard of Saint Lucia, you’re children are so lucky to be witness to so many festivals. I think I need this book in my life..
Sarah, you must must buy it! :) And thank you! :)
Perfect picture, glad the head-dress came into use and sorry I was not there to photograph it. The buns have turned out perfectly too!! xx
Thanks Mum xxx
i love the picture with your LO and the candle. just lovely! happy christmas!
Thank you Otilia! :) x
Divine! We have not been very good establishing any Christmas traditions as yet! Santa Lucia is also celebrated in Italy but as far as I know she just comes bearing sweets in Italy and a bit of money or small presents.
Thanks Sabrina… I love how countries have the same traditions but they vary slightly! :)
Love that photo of your daughter, very beautiful.
I will try these buns, to make a change from stollen!! xx
Thank you! They are so nice for breakfast, served by St Lucia or not! :D
How lovely that your daughter is so interested in all the different cultures!
She might tell you she’s had no choice! :D Thank you…
Oooh I love learning about different traditions and cultures. Love the look of those treats!
Thank you Maggy x
Interesting post. I always learn something reading from you!! That cookbook is definitely on my list.
Thanks Leslie! You will love it! :)
I don’t blame you for not lighting those candles–I would have been terrified!
Hey, great-looking buns (wait, that doesn’t sound right)!
Thanks Di! :D
I’m learning so much reading these posts.
This tradition looks gorgeous, shame about health and safety!!
Thanks Liz! :) I think they do still light them in Sweden, but I just didn’t trust the model or the person lighting them not to have an accident! :D
These look amazing and now I’m sitting here singing the Santa Lucia song that I learned at uni…
Thanks Carolin! :)
I had never heard of this Swedish celebration! Love learning new things on your blog x
Thank you Donna xx
Thanks again for bringing me another lovely dose of festive feeling. Much appreciated, as I’m feeling a little Grinch-like today ;-)
I hope the grinchyness has well and truly departed! Thank you! :)