Lussebullar

Today, in 70 degree temps, the first of Advent- I'm baking lussebullar. This is the traditional Swedish pastry we make for the Lucia celebration on December 13. It is an interesting celebration for a secular country, but none-the-less a very lovely, cute, cozy and quaint celebration that I adore. It brings some light into the harsh winter nights of December :)
I had a post for these last year, and my recipe has changed a little, as I'm always on a quest for the most moist and flavorful versions - Enjoy!

You will need:
4 oz (1 stick) butter
1 cup half-n-half
1 cup milk
2 packets active dry yeast
1 tsp salt
1 gram saffron
6 oz vanilla flavored Greek yogurt
1 cup sugar
5-6 cups flour

raisins
egg-wash (one egg, 2 tablespoons water well mixed)

Slowly melt butter in pan, adding in milk and cream. When butter is completely melted, mix in half of the sugar, and the salt. Stir well- and add the finely crushed saffron. Let the mixture stay warm until a deep yellow color has completely saturated the liquid, at that point add the yeast to the mixture.

Pour the liquid mix into a large bowl, and either with the mixers dough hook, or a wooden spoon, mix in the flour, and the rest of the sugar. Also in this process add the yogurt. Mix until you have a sticky dough.

Cover the bowl with damp towel, and let stand until at least doubled (1 hour or more). Turn on the oven to 425 degrees.

Lightly flour a surface, and place the dough on it. Kneed the whole dough until smooth and manageable, yet still slightly sticky.

Roll pieces of dough in to "snakes" about 8-10 inches long, and roll the ends opposite each other- as in picture.
Place on baking sheet.
Push raisins into "eyes" of cats, and brush them with egg wash. let them rise 5 minutes or so and pop them into oven.
It takes about 10 minutes for them to finish baking, then place them on a wire rack for cooling. And Enjoy!