Here we are the 1st December – and so the Festive season begins. Baking is one of my favourite activities at this time of year, I love the ritual of creating Christmas treats for family and friends.
This is a Swedish classic; an enriched sweetened bread referred to as saffranslängd. Now the translation isn’t pretty: saffron longs, doesn’t sell it to you does it? I have to do this delicacy justice and call it something prettier. With its almond and vanilla filling making it sweet, buttery and deliciously moist. The saffron adds a unique floral flavour with notes of honey. Saffron is widely used in baked goods at Christmas time in Scandinavia.
I know saffron is exceptionally expensive, and it’s certainly not something you would use every day but you can make this bread with other flavour additions, see my tips below.
If you like this recipe, you might like my Christmas Saffron Wreath
Swedish Saffron Bread with Almond & Vanilla Filling
Ingredients
- 15 g fresh yeast or 5g fast action dried yeast
- 130 ml milk
- 1/2 tsp saffron
- 275 g strong white bread flour
- a good pinch sea salt
- 60 g butter room temperature and diced
- 40 g caster sugar
- 1 large egg
- sugar nibs
Filling
- 60 g caster sugar
- 100 g ground almond
- 70 g butter room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 50 g Raisins soaked in boiling water for 30 minutes. optional
Instructions
- Begin by grinding the saffron in a pestle and mortar. Pour the milk into a small saucepan then add the saffron. Heat the milk with the saffron to 38°C, remove from the heat and add the fresh yeast if using and stir to incorporate with the milk. Place the flour, (dried yeast if using), sugar and salt in the bowl of a free standing mixer with the dough hook attached. Add the milk mixture with the motor running. Mix until a dough forms on a slow speed. Once the dough has come together add three quarters of the egg and gradually add the butter, increase the pace to medium/high and work the dough for another 5-8 minutes or until it feels shiny and smooth, you may need to add a tablespoon of flour if the dough is too loose.
- Place the dough in a bowl and cover with a tea towel and let it rest for 20-30 minutes to rest.
- Mix the ground almond, butter, vanilla extract and caster sugar until you have a smooth paste, set to one side.
- When the dough is ready divide it into two. Roll each each one into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface. They should be approximately 25-30cm long and 15-18cm wide. Spread an even layer of filling on the surface. Drain the water from the raisins and sprinkle on the the filling if using. Roll into a log lengthways. Transfer the logs to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, with enough room each side baring in mind they will double in size.
- Now take a sharp pair of scissors and cut down the centre of the log, pushing the ‘v’ shape to either side. (See diagram). Cover with a tea towel and leave it to rise for approximately 45 minutes or until almost double in size. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 180°C. Brush with the remaining egg and sprinkle with sugar nibs if you have omitted the raisins. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until it’s golden brown in colour. Cool on a wire rack. Serve warm with coffee.
Tips:
- Fresh yeast is always my preference, I find I get a far better result than with fast action dried. Most bakeries I have approached will sell fresh yeast if you ask.
- Omit the saffron and replace with 1 teaspoon of freshly ground cardamom.
- Omit the vanilla and flavour with the zest of an orange and add 25g dried cranberries per bread.
- Freezes very well, defrost then warm in the oven.
Pumpkin, Orange and Ginger Granola (Sugar-free)
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