St. Lucia Rolls Recipe

St. Lucia rolls are a special treat made to celebrate St. Lucy’s Day on December 13. This tradition is very popular in Sweden. Young girls dress up as St. Lucy and bring joy to their families. Making these rolls is a fun and meaningful way to join in the celebration.

This recipe can be a great activity for young people. It helps them learn about St. Lucy and her story. They can also develop their baking skills. Working with dough, shaping the rolls, and seeing them bake can be very rewarding.

Baking St. Lucia rolls can also teach important lessons. It shows how to follow a recipe step by step. It requires patience as the dough rises. These skills are useful in many areas of life.

Lastly, sharing the rolls with family and friends can be a wonderful experience. It brings people together and spreads joy. Young people can feel proud of their efforts and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Making St. Lucia rolls is not just about baking; it’s about creating memories and traditions.

Making St. Lucia rolls can be a great way to teach about the Catholic faith. It helps youth learn about St. Lucy, a young Christian martyr. Her story shows courage and faith, important lessons for young people. By baking these rolls, they can connect with her story in a hands-on way.

In youth ministry, activities like this can make learning about saints more engaging. Instead of just reading or listening, kids can participate. They can see, touch, and taste what they are learning about. This makes the lessons more memorable.

Baking St. Lucia rolls can also teach about the importance of traditions in the Catholic Church. It shows how faith is celebrated in different cultures. This helps young people appreciate the rich history of the Church. It also encourages them to see faith as a part of daily life, not just something for Sundays.

Finally, sharing the rolls with others can teach about community and service. It shows that faith is about giving and sharing with others. Youth can feel a sense of pride and joy in sharing what they have made. This simple act can deepen their understanding of living out their faith.

Ingredients  

Rolls

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads or cardamom
• 1 teaspoon plus 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup of sour cream
• 40 raisins

Glaze

• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp water

Instructions 

1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, 1 tsp sugar and saffron until the milk is bright yellow. Cool to 115 degrees if necessary.
2. Add the yeast to the milk and let sit for 5 minutes, until foamy. Transfer to mixer.
3. Add the 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, salt, butter, and eggs to the milk mixture. Blend until moistened.
4. Add the sour cream and mix in.
5. Add an additional 2 to 2 1/2 cups of flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
6. Knead on a floured board until smooth and elastic.
7. Cover and let rise for 2 hours.
8. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
9. Punch dough down.
10. Divide dough into 20 equal pieces.
11. Roll each piece into a 10 inch rope and shape into an S.
12. Place on cookie sheets.
13. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
14. Heat oven to 375.
15. Press a raisin into the center of each end of the S.
16. Beat the egg with the water to create the glaze. Brush rolls with glaze.
17. Bake at 375 for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden.
18. Cool on racks.

What are St. Lucia Rolls?

A: St. Lucia Rolls are special saffron-flavored buns made to celebrate St. Lucy’s Day on December 13. They are popular in Sweden.

Do I need to use saffron for St. Lucia Rolls?

Saffron gives the rolls their traditional flavor and color, but you can use cardamom if you don’t have saffron.

Can I use a bread machine to make the dough for St. Lucia Rolls?

Yes, you can use a bread machine. Follow the instructions for your machine and use the dough cycle. Then, continue with shaping and baking the rolls.

How long do St. Lucia Rolls need to rise?

The dough should rise for about 2 hours the first time. After shaping, let the rolls rise for another 30 minutes before baking.

How do I shape St. Lucia Rolls?

A: Divide the dough into 20 pieces. Roll each piece into a 10-inch rope and shape it into an “S”. Place a raisin in the center of each end of the “S”.

What temperature should I bake St. Lucia Rolls at?

Bake the rolls at 375°F (190°C) for 10 to 15 minutes until they are golden brown.

Can I make St. Lucia Rolls without a mixer?

A: Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand. It might take a little more time and effort, but the results will be just as good.

How should I store St. Lucia Rolls?

Store the rolls in an airtight container at room temperature. They are best enjoyed fresh but can be kept for a few days.

Can I freeze St. Lucia Rolls?

Yes, you can freeze the rolls. Let them cool completely, then store them in a freezer bag. Thaw and warm them up before serving.

St. Lucia Rolls are a special treat made to celebrate St. Lucy’s Day on December 13. They are a traditional part of Swedish celebrations and are known for their bright yellow color, which comes from saffron. If you don’t have saffron, you can use cardamom instead.

The recipe begins with heating milk, sugar, and saffron together. Once the milk mixture cools to a warm temperature, yeast is added and allowed to become foamy. This mixture is then combined with flour, salt, butter, eggs, and sour cream to form a dough. The dough is kneaded until smooth and left to rise for about two hours.

After the dough has risen, it is divided into 20 pieces. Each piece is rolled into a rope and shaped into an “S”. Raisins are placed in the curves of the “S” shape. The rolls are left to rise again before being brushed with an egg wash and baked until golden brown.

St. Lucia Rolls are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for a few days or frozen for later use. They are a wonderful way to celebrate St. Lucy’s Day and can be a fun activity to involve young people in the kitchen. Making these rolls can also be a meaningful way to connect with the traditions of the Catholic faith.

Try making St. Lucia Rolls this December 13! This recipe is easy to follow and a great way to celebrate St. Lucy’s Day. After you try the recipe, share your variations and notes in the comment section. We would love to hear how your St. Lucia Rolls turned out! Enjoy baking and sharing these special rolls with your family and friends.