The origin of lussekatter is closely linked to celebration of Saint Luciaa Christian festival that takes place on December 13th in honor of the patron saint of Syracuse. The tradition of preparing and consuming this original dessert during this period it dates back to the 16th century, when the liturgical memory of the protector of sight was considered the shortest day of the year according to the Julian calendar. This Swedish Christmas dessert It owes its name to Lucia and is characterized by “S” shape. It symbolizes the light that is chasing away the darkness of the winter solstice. The use of saffron in the preparation it is a distinctive element. The spice gives a golden color to the dessert, a symbolic homage to the renewed splendor of the celebration, as well as an intense but delicate flavor capable of delighting the palate.
The lussekatter recipe involves the use of basic ingredients such as flour, sugar, butter, milk and yeast, but what makes this dessert unique is the addition of saffron. The secret to the success of the dessert lies in the skilful leavening and careful cooking in the oven, which gives the preparation a perfect browning. The ideal time to bring lussekatter to the table is during Christmas celebrations, especially for morning breakfast or as a dessert, accompanied by a cup of coffee or tea during the Advent period. In many Swedish families, tasting lussekatter has become a tradition rooted in the pre-Christmas period, marking the beginning of the holidays, synonymous with family warmth and sharing. Bring a piece of Sweden to the table, make Christmas more magical and prepare this exquisite lussekatter. The celebration of the holidays will acquire an extraordinary character of magic and light!