Croatian Povitica, often referred to as potica, is a delightful nut roll that has won the hearts of many around the world. This recipe combines a sweet yeast dough with a rich walnut filling, creating a perfect treat for any occasion.
While traveling across Europe, we, John and Laurel Rodgers, fell in love with this traditional bread and are excited to share our version with you.
Making povitica is not just about the end product; it’s about the experience and the joy it brings to family gatherings.
With its simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create a lovely homemade treat that’s sure to impress.
The nutty aroma wafting through your kitchen will make this a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Join us as we walk you through the steps to make this special Croatian dish. We promise you, once you try it, povitica will become a favorite in your home too!
About Us
We are John and Laurel Rodgers, passionate food explorers from America. Our love for cooking and baking takes us far and wide.
As we travel through places like Slovenia and Kansas City, we gather traditional recipes and cooking techniques. One of our favorites is Croatian Povitica, a sweet nut roll that we learned to make from local bakers.
We enjoy sharing these culinary treasures with our readers. Our goal is to bring the taste of global kitchens to your home.
We’ve joined groups like the Daring Bakers, where we connect with fellow baking enthusiasts. This community inspires us to tackle new recipes and improve our skills.
Whether we are in Kansas or visiting a family in Strawberry Hill, we seek authentic flavors. We believe that every recipe has a story, and we love sharing these tales through food.
Cooking allows us to celebrate cultures and traditions. Join us as we explore the world, one recipe at a time!
Why You’ll Love This Croatian Povitica Recipe
We adore making Croatian Povitica because it brings a taste of Eastern Europe into our kitchen. This sweet bread is perfect for sharing with friends and family. The rich walnut filling makes each slice a delight.
Here are a few reasons to try this recipe:
- Family Tradition: This recipe has been passed down through generations. It adds a personal touch to our baking experience.
- Unique Flavor: The combination of walnuts and other ingredients creates a special taste that you won’t find in ordinary bread.
- Fun to Make: We enjoy the swirling technique that makes Povitica visually appealing. It feels rewarding to see the beautiful layers.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s breakfast, dessert, or a snack, Povitica can fit into any meal. It often reminds us of the Slovenian nut roll, which is equally delicious.
- Inspiration from TV: If you’re a fan of the Great British Baking Show, you’ll appreciate the skill involved in making Povitica. It’s a treat worth mastering.
Baking this Croatian dessert bread is about sharing love and culture. We love bringing a little piece of our travels into our home through this recipe. Give it a try, and we think you’ll be hooked too!
What Makes This Recipe Special
Croatian Povitica is more than just a dessert bread; it’s a delightful treat that brings families together. The unique combination of flavors and textures makes it special.
One of the stars of this recipe is the walnut filling. We blend ground walnuts with cinnamon and sometimes even cocoa powder for a rich taste. Adding honey gives it a lovely sweetness.
The yeast dough is another key element. Made from simple ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter, it creates a soft and airy texture. This sweet dough rolls out beautifully, allowing us to wrap in the filling perfectly.
Using ingredients like vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, making each bite memorable. The golden-brown crust adds to the appeal, showcasing the deliciousness inside.
Povitica is not just about taste; it carries a sense of tradition. Many families pass down their recipes, often tweaking the filling ingredients. This personalization is what makes each loaf unique and special to us.
We love serving Povitica for dessert or as a sweet snack. It’s perfect with a cup of coffee or tea, offering a cozy treat that warms our hearts.
Cooking Equipment Needed
Making Croatian Povitica requires some key tools to get the best results. Here’s what we need:
- Loaf Pan: A standard 9×5 inch loaf pan is ideal for shaping and baking our Povitica. This helps create that beautiful swirl we all love.
- Stand Mixer: If we want to make the dough easily, a stand mixer with a dough hook is perfect. It saves time and effort when mixing all the ingredients together.
- Food Processor: For preparing the filling, a food processor speeds up the process. It quickly chops nuts and mixes them with cinnamon and sugar.
- Rolling Pin: We need a rolling pin to flatten the dough. This ensures an even thickness, making it easier to roll up with the filling inside.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial. We should have measuring cups and spoons to get the ingredients just right.
- Mixing Bowls: Having a few mixing bowls on hand helps us keep ingredients organized. It also allows us to let the dough rise properly.
With these tools in our kitchen, we’ll be well on our way to creating a delicious Croatian Povitica that we can share with family and friends!
Cooking Instructions
To make Croatian Povitica, we follow a few simple steps that help us create this delicious nut roll.
- Prepare the Dough:
In a bowl, mix ¼ cup warm water with 1 package of active dry yeast. Add ¾ cup lukewarm milk, ¼ cup white sugar, and ¼ cup vegetable shortening. Stir until dissolved, then mix in 3 cups flour gradually. - Knead and Rise:
Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size. - Make the Filling:
While the dough rises, mix together 2 cups finely ground walnuts, ¾ cup brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon. We sometimes add a bit of melted butter for extra flavor. - Roll the Dough:
Once risen, split the dough in half. Roll one half into a thin rectangle. Spread the walnut filling evenly, leaving a small border around the edges. - Shape the Loaf:
Gently roll the dough into a log shape. Pinch the ends to seal, and place the loaf in a greased baking pan. - Brush and Bake:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the top with an egg wash (1 beaten egg mixed with a bit of water) for a shiny finish. Bake for about 30-45 minutes until golden brown.
Let the loaf cool before slicing to enjoy!
Cooking Tips
When making Croatian Povitica, we’ve picked up some helpful tips through our cooking adventures.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Always choose fresh nuts and high-quality flour. This will enhance the flavor of your bread.
- Check Yeast Activity: To ensure your yeast is good, mix it with warm water and sugar. Wait for it to foam. If it doesn’t, get new yeast.
- Knead Well: Knead the dough thoroughly. This helps develop gluten, making the bread soft and chewy.
Aim for about 10 minutes of good kneading.
- Let it Rise: Give your dough enough time to rise. A warm spot works best.
The dough should double in size, which might take around 1 to 2 hours.
- Use Egg Wash: For a nice golden color, brush the loaf with an egg wash before baking. Mix one egg with a bit of water or milk.
- Monitor Baking Temperature: Start baking at 180°C (350°F) for the first 15 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 150°C (300°F) for the remaining time.
This ensures the loaf cooks evenly without burning.
- Cool Before Slicing: Let the Povitica cool completely on a wire rack. This helps it set and makes it easier to slice.
Ingredients Needed for the Croatian Povitica Recipe
For the Dough
Flour
Caster Sugar
Salt
Fast-action Yeast
Unsalted Butter
Egg
Vanilla Bean Paste
Whole Milk
For the Filling
Walnut pieces
Sugar
Cocoa Powder
Unsalted Butter
Whole Milk
Vanilla Bean Paste
Egg Yolk
Pre-Filling
Butter
Egg-wash
Egg White
For the Icing
Powdered Sugar
Water
Instructions For Preparing the Croatian Povitica Recipe
Prepare the Dough
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Make a well in the center and add egg, butter, milk, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Knead by hand or use an electric mixer with a paddle or dough hook until the dough is soft and smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Make the Filling
Blend walnuts, cocoa, and sugar in a food processor until finely ground. In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, milk, vanilla, and egg yolk. Set aside.
Roll and Stretch the Dough
Lay a clean cloth on the work surface and cover it with plastic wrap. Roll out the dough to a 20” x 12” rectangle. Brush with melted butter, then carefully stretch it to about 40” x 24” until thin enough to see through in spots.
Fill and Roll
Combine the wet and dry filling ingredients, then spread evenly over the stretched dough. Lift one end of the cloth to help roll the dough into a log or roll it manually like a Swiss roll.
Shape and Proof
Grease a 19x12x9 cm (7.5×4.5×3.5 inch) loaf tin. Coil the dough into a “U” shape at the base, then stack the loop on top, tucking in the open end. Cover loosely with plastic and let rise for 1 hour.
Bake the Loaf
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the risen dough with egg wash and bake for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 300°F and bake for another 45 minutes, covering with foil if the top darkens too quickly. Let cool in the tin on a wire rack for 30 minutes before removing.
Optional Icing
Mix icing sugar with a little water to form a smooth glaze. Drizzle over the cooled loaf, let set, then slice and serve.
FAQs For the Croatian Povitica Recipe
Question: What is the Croatian Povitica Recipe?
A: The Croatian Povitica recipe is a traditional sweet bread made with thinly rolled dough filled with a rich walnut, cinnamon, and sugar mixture, then rolled into a swirled loaf.
Question: How do you achieve the signature swirl in the Croatian Povitica Recipe?
A: The Croatian Povitica recipe achieves its signature swirl by rolling out the dough very thinly, spreading the filling evenly, and then carefully rolling it into a tight log before baking.
Question: Can I use different fillings for the Croatian Povitica Recipe?
A: Yes, the Croatian Povitica recipe can be made with various fillings, including chocolate, poppy seeds, cinnamon sugar, or even a savory cheese mixture.
Question: How long does it take to prepare the Croatian Povitica Recipe?
A: The Croatian Povitica recipe takes several hours, including time for the dough to rise, roll out, and bake, making it a labor of love best prepared with patience.
Question: What is the best way to serve the Croatian Povitica Recipe?
A: The Croatian Povitica recipe is best served in thin slices, either warm or at room temperature, and pairs well with coffee, tea, or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Croatian Povitica Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 10½ oz flour plain plus extra for dusting
- 1½ oz sugar caster
- 7 g salt
- ⅓ oz yeast fast-action
- 1 oz butter unsalted melted
- 1 egg large beaten
- ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
- 5½ oz milk whole warmed
For the Filling
- 10 oz walnut pieces
- 3½ oz sugar
- 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2¼ oz butter unsalted
- 4 tbsp. milk whole
- ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1 egg yolk beaten
Pre-Filling
- ½ oz butter melted
Egg-wash
- 1 egg white beaten
For the Icing
- 3½ oz sugar icing
- water
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Make a well in the center and add egg, butter, milk, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Knead by hand or use an electric mixer with a paddle or dough hook until the dough is soft and smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Make the Filling
- Blend walnuts, cocoa, and sugar in a food processor until finely ground. In a separate bowl, mix melted butter, milk, vanilla, and egg yolk. Set aside.
- Roll and Stretch the Dough
- Lay a clean cloth on the work surface and cover it with plastic wrap. Roll out the dough to a 20” x 12” rectangle. Brush with melted butter, then carefully stretch it to about 40” x 24” until thin enough to see through in spots.
Fill and Roll
- Combine the wet and dry filling ingredients, then spread evenly over the stretched dough. Lift one end of the cloth to help roll the dough into a log or roll it manually like a Swiss roll.
Shape and Proof
- Grease a 19x12x9 cm (7.5x4.5x3.5 inch) loaf tin. Coil the dough into a "U" shape at the base, then stack the loop on top, tucking in the open end. Cover loosely with plastic and let rise for 1 hour.
Bake the Loaf
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the risen dough with egg wash and bake for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 300°F and bake for another 45 minutes, covering with foil if the top darkens too quickly. Let cool in the tin on a wire rack for 30 minutes before removing.
Optional Icing
- Mix icing sugar with a little water to form a smooth glaze. Drizzle over the cooled loaf, let set, then slice and serve.
1 comment
The layers of buttery dough and walnut filling created an incredible swirl of texture and flavor. It was slightly sweet, nutty, and wonderfully soft. Everyone was impressed by how beautiful it looked and how deliciously rich yet not overpowering it was.