Name: Swedish Lucia Breads
Yield: Makes 22
Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces yeast; 2 cups lukewarm water; 1/8 ounce saffron; Scant 1 cup butter, melted; 2 pounds all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup superfine sugar; 1/3 cup raisins; 44 raisins; 1 egg, beaten

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Swedish Lucia BreadsLars Renek

Legend has it that on December 13, 1764, a gentleman in Sweden was roused in the middle of the night by a beautiful voice. He saw a young woman in white moving through his room singing. She had wings and was carrying a candle. That was Lucia the Saint. She brought light, food, and wine as comfort on what was, in the Gregorian calendar, the longest night of the year. We celebrate Saint Lucia on December 13. Children will walk with lit candles singing the beautiful Lucia carol and bringing the Lucia bread.

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