Much more than any sugary or spicy dishes, saffron finds associations with luxurious and aromatic preparations such as biryanis and curries. Would you believe that it can be quite a wonder in baking too? Many of us would hesitate to use saffron in desserts or pastries, not because it is too uncharacteristic of desserts with its distinctive flavour, but also because it seems too precious for everyday use.
Saffron can add such subtle richness and beautiful golden hue when used correctly, from baked cakes to breads. Used with sweet ingredients, saffron can complement them without overpowering with its floral and earthy notes. And whether it's for a special occasion or just to try something new, here's how you can work saffron into your baking for truly unforgettable results:
Infuse Saffron in Warm Liquids
The optimal use of saffron in baking is through infusing it in warm liquids such as milk or water. Some strands soaked in warm milk or water yield the full flavour and colour of saffron within 10-15 minutes. The infused liquid then can be used in the batter or dough.
For example, when making a saffron cake or bread, sometimes you substitute some of the milk or water used with your infusion of saffron. This ensures uniform spreading of the flavour and colour within your baked products.
Saffron in Cakes and Pastries
It's nothing less than a goldmine when it comes to cakes and pastries. Indeed, the classic saffron cake recipes include the Persian Sholeh Zard or Italian Panettone, this spice giving desserts their fragrant, golden touch. You would add it to the wet ingredients after infusing it in milk.
For the exotic taste, you can also add saffron in butter-based cakes such as pound cake, sponge cake. Just use it with a great measure since too much saffron is overpowering the sweetness of your dessert.
Infuse Saffron to Cookies
Saffron mixes very well with ingredients like cardamom, vanilla, and nuts, so it's perfect with cookies. You may add saffron in cookie dough if your recipe calls for spices; for instance, use this spice in shortbread or sugar cookies.
For the best result, soak saffron in warm melted butter or milk before adding it to dough. Saffron would add flavour and lend the cookies a beautiful yellow glow, making them look good too.
Add Saffron to Breads and Rolls
Grinding saffron adds colour to the bread but not flavor since this portion of the spice is extracted during grinding.
Rich and slightly sweet bread recipes will be beautifully combined with the flavour of saffron. Traditional breads such as Swedish saffron buns (Lussekatter) or brioche infused with saffron will give an aromatic dimension to the spice.
Adding saffron to the wet ingredients in dough, like adding it to milk or water before mixing, allows it to infuse fully into the dough so that the unique taste and golden color permeate throughout the bread.
Pair with Nuts and Dried Fruits
Saffron just tends to go so naturally with nuts and dried fruits. And thus, it blends wonderfully in nutty pastries or fruit-filled cakes. If you are baking a pistachio cake or making almond-based cookies, that little tad of saffron could uplift the taste and make your desserts all the more richer and complex.
In fruit-based baked products such as apricot tarts or raisin bread, saffron finds its perfect accompaniment in the sweetness of the fruits in a beautifully balanced dessert. Just add the saffron to the mixing phase with the liquid to allow for evenly distributed flavour.