Swedish Saffron Bread
- 1 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup dried currants
- 1/4 cup sugar, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, crushed
- 1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 cup warm 2% reduced-fat milk (100u0b0 to 110u0b0)
- 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided (about 15 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, divided
- Cooking spray
- Combine 1 cup hot water, raisins, and currants in a bowl. Cover and let stand 10 minutes or until raisins and currants plump. Drain and set aside.
- Dissolve 1 tablespoon sugar, saffron, and yeast in warm milk in a small bowl; let stand for 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 3 cups flour, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add raisins, currants, yeast mixture, butter, and 1 egg to flour mixture; stir until dough forms.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.
- Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85u0b0), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, dough has risen enough.) Punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface; knead 3 times.
- Divide dough into 3 equal portions, shaping each portion into a 16-inch rope. Place ropes lengthwise on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray (do not stretch); pinch ends together at one end to seal. Braid ropes; pinch loose ends to seal. Cover and let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 375u0b0.
- Lightly beat remaining egg in a small bowl. Gently brush dough with egg. Bake at 375u0b0 for 25 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.
water, golden raisins, currants, sugar, saffron threads, yeast, milk, flour, salt, ground cinnamon, butter, eggs, cooking spray
Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/swedish-saffron-bread (may not work)