On December 13th, Saint Lucia Day, your family can pay homage to the fourth-century saint remembered for her hospitality. This festive bread is inspired by the candle-covered crown she is said to have worn to light her way as she brought food to the poor.
Ingredients
DOUGH
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 1/4-ounce packages active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon finely grated orange rind
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
GLAZE AND GARNISH
- 2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
- 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- Candles (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the milk in a small saucepan, then pour 1/2 cup of it into a large bowl.
- Add the yeast and 1 tablespoon of the sugar and let it set for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter in the remaining milk.
- Add the butter and milk mixture to the yeast mixture. Whisk in the eggs, juice, 1/4 cup of sugar, orange rind, and salt.
- Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough can be gathered into a ball. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes, adding more flour until the dough is smooth and elastic and does not stick to your hands.
- Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl, turning it once to coat it. Loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled in size, about 11/2 hours.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 3 equal parts. Roll each part into a 30-inch rope and braid the ropes together.
- Transfer the braid to a greased baking sheet, pinch together the ends to form a circle, and let it rise until it has again doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 375_. Bake the bread for 25 minutes or until golden brown, then let it cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes.
- For the glaze, stir together the confectioners sugar and orange juice in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze mix over the bread, then garnish with the cranberries. Finally, add candles, if you'd like. Serves 12.