Slovak Nut Roll, or Orechovy Zavin, is a cherished treat that brings families together, especially during the holidays.
This delightful dessert features a soft, yeast dough filled with a rich walnut mixture, making it a perfect addition to Christmas or Easter celebrations.
Our adventures in Slovakia introduced us to this traditional food, and we couldn’t wait to share the joy of making it.
Throughout our travels, we’ve tasted many local dishes, but Slovak Nut Roll stands out for its warm, comforting flavors.
The combination of fresh walnuts and a hint of sweetness creates a memorable taste that fills the kitchen with a delightful aroma.
It’s not just a recipe; it’s a way to connect with loved ones and celebrate our heritage.
As we share our favorite Slovak Nut Roll recipe, we hope it inspires you to create lasting memories in your own kitchen.
Come with us on this delicious journey and discover the magic of making this special treat for your family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Slovak Nut Roll Recipe
We are sure you’ll fall in love with this Slovak Nut Roll recipe for several reasons.
First, it brings a taste of tradition right to our kitchen. This recipe connects us to Slovak culture, giving everyone a chance to share in its rich flavors.
Next, the ingredients are simple and easy to find.
We’ll use basic items like:
- Flour
- Yeast
- Milk
- Eggs
- Walnuts
These ingredients create a delightful taste that everyone can enjoy.
The process of making the nut rolls is also fun. We get to mix, knead, and watch the dough rise. It’s a great way to spend time with family or friends in the kitchen.
Baking at the right temperature is key.
At 350°F, we achieve a perfectly baked roll—golden on the outside and soft on the inside. This careful attention ensures a delicious treat every time.
Plus, the nut filling adds a crunchy texture and rich flavor that we can’t resist. It’s perfect for snacks, desserts, or special occasions.
Lastly, this recipe is often included in Slovak recipe books, showcasing its importance in festive gatherings. Sharing it with others helps keep our traditions alive.
Try making this Slovak Nut Roll and feel the joy it brings to our table!
What Makes This Slovak Nut Roll Recipe Special
We love this Slovak Nut Roll recipe for many reasons.
First, the flaky yeast dough creates a perfect base. This dough is rolled thin, making each bite light and airy.
The filling is the star of the show. Made with finely ground walnuts, it brings a rich and nutty flavor. We like to add just a bit of sugar to balance the taste.
Tradition matters. This recipe connects us to our roots and brings the flavors of Slovakia to our table. It’s a dish often served during holidays and special gatherings. Sharing it with friends and family makes it meaningful.
The nut roll’s versatility is another great feature. We can enjoy it with coffee or tea, making it a lovely snack any time of the day. It can also be a delicious dessert after a meal.
Making Slovak Nut Roll is a fun way to explore Slovakian cuisine. We can try other traditional Slovak dishes alongside it, like bean soup or cabbage bread, for a full meal experience.
This recipe not only tastes good, but it also offers a taste of our heritage. Each roll is a delightful reminder of the comforting and hearty flavors found in Slovak food recipes. Let’s share this treat and celebrate the joy of cooking together!
Cooking Equipment Needed
To make Slovak Nut Rolls, we need some essential kitchen tools. Here’s a list of what we should gather before starting:
- Mixing Bowls: We’ll need large bowls for mixing our dough and filling.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are important for the best results.
- Rolling Pin: This helps us roll out the dough smoothly.
- Baking Sheet: A lightly greased cookie sheet is perfect for baking our rolls.
- Saucepan: We’ll use this to heat the cream and milk for the filling.
- Oven: We’ll preheat it to 350°F for baking the rolls evenly.
- Whisk or Electric Mixer: This is helpful for mixing the ingredients well.
Having the right equipment makes the process easier. It can also save us time and help us create delicious nut rolls. So let’s make sure we have everything ready before we start!
Cooking Instructions
Let’s make Slovak Nut Rolls together! Here’s how we can do it step by step.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix:
- Sugar
- Butter or margarine
- Eggs
- Sour cream
- Milk
- Flour
- Yeast
- Salt
We should mix well until the dough is smooth.
- Let It Rise: Next, we need to let the dough rise. Cover it with a kitchen towel. Place it in a warm spot for about an hour or until it doubles in size.
- Make the Filling: While the dough is rising, we can prepare the nut filling.In a saucepan, bring:
- Cream
- Milk
Heat until it boils, then remove from heat. Stir in finely chopped walnuts and sugar.
- Roll Out the Dough: Once the dough has risen, we can roll it out on a floured surface. Aim for about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Assemble the Rolls: Spread the nut filling evenly over the dough. Roll it tightly into a log shape.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the rolls and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.
Let’s enjoy the delicious aroma as they bake!
Cooking Tips
When making Slovak Nut Rolls, here are some tips to help us perfect our recipe.
1. Yeast Activation
Make sure our yeast is fresh. If it does not bubble in warm milk, it’s not good to use.
2. Mixing the Dough
We should mix the dough until it no longer sticks to our hands. This means we have the right texture.
3. Rising the Dough
For fast rising, place our dough in a warm oven.
Just turn on the oven for a minute, then turn it off. This creates a cozy space for the dough.
4. Rolling the Dough
When we roll out the dough, keep it about 1/4 inch thick. A thicker roll may not bake evenly.
5. Spreading the Filling
Spread the nut filling evenly. Leave some space at the edges to avoid overflow when we roll it up.
6. Baking Temperature
Bake at 350°F for the best results. This temperature helps to create a golden crust while keeping the inside soft.
7. Cooling
After baking, let the rolls cool on a rack. This helps them set properly and makes them easier to slice.
Ingredients Needed for the Slovak Nut Roll Recipe
Yeast dough:
Warm water
Active dry yeast
Honey or granulated sugar
All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Salt
Unsalted butter, softened
Walnut filling:
Walnuts ground
Granulated sugar
Half and half (half whole milk, half heavy cream)
Lemon zest freshly grated
Cinnamon ground
Vanilla paste or vanilla essence
Egg wash:
Egg
Instructions For Preparing the Slovak Nut Roll Recipe
Making the Yeast Starter:
Dissolve honey in warm water, then whisk in flour and active yeast until smooth. Cover with a tea towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes.
Preparing the Walnut Filling:
While the yeast is activating, bring cream and milk to a boil, then immediately remove from heat. Stir in sugar until dissolved, then mix in ground nuts, vanilla, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Let cool to room temperature.
Making the Dough:
To the activated yeast mixture, add the remaining lukewarm water, flour, and sugar, mixing for a minute. Add salt and softened butter, then knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
Assembling the Nut Rolls:
Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead briefly, then divide into two balls. Let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each ball into a 12 × 10-inch rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Spread walnut filling evenly, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll lengthwise, jelly-roll style, tightening gently as you go. Place seam side down on the lined baking sheet, tucking in the ends. Repeat with the second dough.
Egg Wash & Final Rise:
Beat the egg in a bowl and brush over the rolls. Let rise for another 30 minutes.
Baking:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake rolls on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes.
FAQs For the Slovak Nut Roll Recipe
Question: What is the best way to make a traditional Slovak Nut Roll Recipe?
A: The best way to make a traditional Slovak Nut Roll Recipe is by using a sweet, yeasted dough filled with a mixture of ground nuts, sugar, and spices, then rolling it tightly and baking until golden brown.
Question: How do you keep a Slovak Nut Roll Recipe from becoming dry?
A: To keep a Slovak Nut Roll Recipe from becoming dry, ensure the dough is well-hydrated, do not overbake, and store it in an airtight container to maintain moisture.
Question: Can I freeze a Slovak Nut Roll Recipe for later use?
A: Yes, you can freeze a Slovak Nut Roll Recipe by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then storing it in an airtight container for up to three months.
Question: What type of nuts work best in a Slovak Nut Roll Recipe?
A: The best nuts to use in a Slovak Nut Roll Recipe are walnuts, pecans, or almonds, as they provide a rich, flavorful filling when ground and mixed with sugar and spices.
Question: How long does it take to prepare a Slovak Nut Roll Recipe from start to finish?
A: A Slovak Nut Roll Recipe typically takes about 3-4 hours, including dough preparation, rising time, filling, rolling, and baking to achieve the best results.
Slovak Nut Roll Recipes
Ingredients
Yeast dough:
- ¾ cup water 180 ml warm
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon honey or granulated sugar
- 3.5 cups all-purpose flour 455 g
- ½ cup granulated sugar 100 g
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter 112 g softened
Walnut filling:
- 4 cups walnuts ground
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup half and half half whole milk and half heavy cream
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or vanilla essence
Egg wash:
- 1 egg
Instructions
Making the Yeast Starter:
- Dissolve honey in warm water, then whisk in flour and active yeast until smooth. Cover with a tea towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes.
Preparing the Walnut Filling:
- While the yeast is activating, bring cream and milk to a boil, then immediately remove from heat. Stir in sugar until dissolved, then mix in ground nuts, vanilla, lemon zest, and cinnamon. Let cool to room temperature.
Making the Dough:
- To the activated yeast mixture, add the remaining lukewarm water, flour, and sugar, mixing for a minute. Add salt and softened butter, then knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1-2 hours. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
Assembling the Nut Rolls:
- Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead briefly, then divide into two balls. Let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each ball into a 12 × 10-inch rectangle, about ¼ inch thick. Spread walnut filling evenly, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll lengthwise, jelly-roll style, tightening gently as you go. Place seam side down on the lined baking sheet, tucking in the ends. Repeat with the second dough.
Egg Wash & Final Rise:
- Beat the egg in a bowl and brush over the rolls. Let rise for another 30 minutes.
Baking:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake rolls on the middle rack for 25-30 minutes.
Nutrition
1 comment
This Slovak Nut Roll was a delicious treat! The dough was soft and slightly sweet, with a generous filling of finely ground walnuts and sugar. The golden-brown finish made it look as good as it tasted, and my guests loved the nutty flavor with every bite. It’s a perfect pastry for any occasion, and I’ll be making it again soon.