It's Potica, It's Christmas

[mulepackin]

Potica (or povitica as some may call it) is a traditional Yugoslavian nut bread served at Christmas and other holidays and special occasions. My grandmother, great aunts, and mother always made it when I was growing up at least during the holidays and occasionally Easter and a wedding or other big occasion. I only seem to get up the ambition to make it during the holidays, but can't recall many I've missed. It is basically a sweet egg bread dough rolled thin then covered with a sweet walnut filling. It is then rolled up jelly roll style and baked in loaves or rings, sometimes curled into a large roaster (my mom used an enamel dish pan). The filling is 4 lbs of ground walnuts, sugar, butter, cream, eggs, and a little vanilla and cinnamon. I occasionally add some ground raisins, but not this batch. I grind the walnuts in my grandmothers old #2 Universal grinder/chopper. Other things work faster, maybe better, but its just not the same. Christmas just isn't Christmas without this in our home. If you don't like walnuts you won't like this, but we love it. I wish I could extend a slice to everyone here. Merry Christmas.

[SmokinLee]

I love walnuts so I know I would love that. Sure did rise nice for ya and wish I could try a slice with some butter. Thanks for the post and Merry Christmas to you.

[chefrob]

that stuff looks great............

[Bassman]

Tasty looking treat, MP. I would definitely try a slice of that.

[T-bone Tim]

mmmmmmmmmmm walnuts , that bread looks awesome Mule

[Mark R]

That looks great!
I don suppose you'd give up the recipe?

[Meat Hunter]

Who WOULDN'T love that, sounds, and looks, fantastic

[mulepackin]

That looks great!
I don suppose you'd give up the recipe?

Be glad too:

Filling:

4 lbs. ground walnuts
1 cup melted butter
4 beaten eggs
1 cup cream
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
options include cinnamon to taste, ground raisins or currants

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. If not of spreading consistency, add additional cream.

Dough:

1 C flour (more or less)
1 Tbsp salt
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup melted butter
2 Cups milk
1 Cup water
4 large eggs well beaten
3 pkgs. yeast

Bring all ingredients to room temp. In large mix bowl dry ingredients. Scald milk in a saucepan, add water to milk to cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 Cup of warm water. Mix all liquid ingredients then mix into dry mixture. Mix and knead until dough is soft and elastic, smooth. Place in large greased bowl and let rise til double, around 2 hours. While dough is rising make filling. After dough has risen roll out on large square of flour sack well floured. Roll til very thin. Spread filling over dough, then roll dough jelly roll style using flour sack to lift and roll. Coil into baking pan, roaster or cut into loaf sizes as I did. Let rise an additional hour. Bake at 325 -350 for 45 - 60 min. Can cover tops with egg wash at beginning of bake or butter at end.

[moselle]

Just beautiful MP.
Thanks for the recipe.

[Mark R]

Thank You MP. That's gonna happen this weekend!