[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

At Aquavit, they're baking up sweets and breads that are part of the traditional Nordic Christmas celebrations. Start with Lussekatt (also known as Santa Lucia buns), tiny S-shaped buns, scented and colored with a generous dose of saffron, dotted in raisins. The sweet, yeasty buns are brushed with a light egg wash before baking and have a texture akin to challah, but with prominent saffron notes. Aquavit's also doing Pepparkakor, classic Swedish cookies that are essentially ginger snaps, cut in a variety of shapes—think Christmas tree, hearts, and gingerbread men. These are rolled extra-thin, the ginger spicier than most. Thirsty? Pair with a side of glögg, mulled wine fragrant with spices of cinnamon, orange peels, and clove. The Lussekatt and Pepparkakor will be served complimentary on Santa Lucia Day (12/13), and also at brunch this Saturday (12/17) and all day Christmas Eve.

Aquavit

65 East 55th Street, New York NY 10022 (map)
212-307-7311
aquavit.org

About the author: Originally from Honolulu, Kathy YL Chan blogs at Kathy YL Chan, where she chronicles her eats and travels adventures between Hawai'i, New York and beyond. She firmly believes that there is always room for dessert.