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Recipe

Swedish-Inspired Christmas Saffron Orange Buns

Make Swedish-inspired saffron buns with orange zest for Christmas breakfast. Includes kneading, two rises and clear shaping instructions for twelve buns.

Swedish saffron buns with raisins
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads (about 0.2 g), crushed
  • 3 1/2 cups (440 g) bread flour, plus up to 2 tablespoons for handling
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (7 g) instant yeast
  • 1/3 cup (65 g) granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 large egg, for the dough
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
  • 5 tablespoons (70 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water, for glazing
  • 24 raisins, for the coils

Instructions

  1. Warm milk with the crushed saffron in a small saucepan until steaming but not boiling. Remove from heat and cool until lukewarm, about 100°F / 38°C; very hot milk can harm yeast. Allow about 15 minutes for infusion and cooling.
  2. Mix flour, instant yeast, sugar and salt. Add saffron milk, the dough egg and orange zest. Stir to a shaggy dough, then knead for 5 minutes. Add soft butter in small pieces and knead for another 5–8 minutes until supple and slightly tacky. Use only a little handling flour; a stiff dry dough gives dense buns.
  3. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover and leave in a warm, draft-free spot for 60–90 minutes, until approximately doubled. The dough, not the clock, decides when the rise is complete.
  4. Divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each into a rope about 30 cm long. Coil each end in opposite directions to form an S. Place on two parchment-lined trays with space to expand. Press one raisin firmly into each coiled end.
  5. Cover loosely and let rise for 30–45 minutes until visibly puffy. Meanwhile heat the oven to 375°F / 190°C. Brush gently with the beaten egg glaze, avoiding puddles around the bases.
  6. Bake one tray at a time for 14–18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. A center bun should reach about 190°F / 88°C as a bread doneness guide. Loosely cover the waiting tray. Cool on a rack for at least 10 minutes before eating.

Saffron gives these softly enriched buns their golden color. The S-shaped coils draw inspiration from Swedish saffron baking, with orange zest added as an original variation. This dough needs two rises; plan a relaxed morning rather than treating the buns as a quick bread.

Timing

Total time is approximately 3 hours and includes proofing, two tray bakes and cooling. A cold room may extend the rise. Do not add extra yeast to compensate for a slow first rise.

Storage

Cool completely and store airtight at a cool room temperature for up to 2 days. Freeze for up to 2 months for best quality. Warm gently before serving.

Saffron and substitutions

Saffron has a distinctive flavor. Turmeric changes the flavor and is not an equivalent replacement. Without saffron, the recipe becomes an orange bun rather than a saffron bun.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use all-purpose flour?

Yes, but the dough may need slightly less milk or more gentle handling, and the crumb will be softer. Start with the stated flour weight and avoid adding large amounts of extra flour.

Why did the coils unravel?

Roll the ends firmly enough to hold their shape, tuck the very ends under and give the buns room. A full second rise reduces tearing in the oven.

Nutrition and recipe notes

This original recipe has not been kitchen-tested. Nutrition is an approximate editorial estimate per stated serving, not a laboratory analysis or independently verified calculation. Brands, portions and substitutions change the values.

Allergens: Wheat; Milk; Egg. Check product labels.

Per serving

Nutrition facts

Serving size: One bun (estimated)

Calories
245
Total fat
8 g
Saturated fat
4 g
Cholesterol
45 mg
Sodium
175 mg
Total carbohydrate
37 g
Dietary fiber
1 g
Total sugars
9 g
Protein
6 g

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