The Christmas wreath with saffron and raisins is a soft, highly fragrant, and truly scenic Christmas sweet, perfect for bringing the magic of the holidays to the table.
It resembles the classic Swedish cinnamon rolls but in a delicious wreath shape, ideal as a centerpiece to share with family and friends.
The dough, enriched with saffron, gives a wonderful golden color and an irresistible aroma, while the filling with butter, sugar, cinnamon, raisins, candied cherries, and pine nuts captivates at first taste.
A sweet that smells like Christmas and combines taste and beauty in an irresistible creation. Perfect for impressing your guests or as a gift during the holidays.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas
Ingredients for Christmas Wreath with Saffron, Raisins, and Cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups Manitoba Flour
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 2 tbsps Sugar
- 12 g Fresh Brewer's Yeast
- 1 packet Saffron
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1/3 cup Butter
- 2 1/2 tbsps Sugar
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 oz Pine Nuts
- 10 Candied Cherries
- 1 Egg
- as needed Milk
- as needed Sugar
- as needed Candied Cherries
Preparation of the Christmas Wreath with Saffron, Raisins, and Cinnamon
In a bowl, crumble the yeast (1).
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan and add the milk and saffron packet (2). Let it cool slightly.
Then, pour it over the yeast and mix until completely dissolved. Add the sugar, salt, and flour (3).
Knead everything for at least 10 minutes until you obtain a soft dough (4).
Cover with plastic wrap and place in an unlit oven with the light on to let the dough rise. It will take about 90 minutes.
In a bowl, beat the butter with sugar, cinnamon, and candied cherries cut into pieces. Finally, add the pine nuts (5).
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to form a rectangle measuring approximately 21×10 inches (6).
Spread the filling over the rectangle, being careful to leave 3/4 inch free around the edges (7).
Now roll the rectangle tightly from the long side (8).
Seal the ends and cut the roll lengthwise in half (9). Twist the two halves together, join the two ends, and form a wreath (10).
Place the wreath on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let it rise again, covered with plastic wrap, for another 45 minutes.After 45 minutes, brush the wreath with the egg lightly beaten with a little milk and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Then bake in the lower part of a preheated oven at 392°F for 15 minutes until golden brown. Remove the Christmas wreath with saffron, raisins, and cinnamon from the oven and let it cool on a rack.
Complete the wreath decoration with candied cherries
Conversation
The Christmas wreath with saffron and raisins stays soft for 2-3 days under a cake dome or in an airtight container at room temperature.
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FAQ
Can I prepare the Christmas wreath with saffron and raisins in advance?
Yes! You can prepare it the day before and keep it well covered. Before serving, warm it up in the oven at 212°F: it will return to being soft and fragrant, as if just baked.
Can I replace the raisins or candied fruits?
Certainly! You can replace them with chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries for a more modern touch.
Can it be made without saffron?
Yes, but saffron gives that golden color and unique aroma that makes this Christmas wreath truly special.
