Indulge in the irresistible charm of Potica, the traditional Croatian nut roll that’s a showstopper on any dessert table. This delightful pastry features a soft, buttery dough wrapped around a rich, aromatic walnut filling, sweetened with honey and spiced with cinnamon for a perfect balance of flavors. With its golden, glossy exterior and intricately swirled nutty interior, Potica is as beautiful as it is indulgent. Ideal for festive occasions or a special family treat, this recipe combines the art of dough-making with the warmth of a decadent filling. Each loaf is a labor of love, from the patient kneading and rising of the dough to the care taken in rolling and baking to perfection. Serve this stunning nut roll dusted with powdered sugar, and watch it delight your table with tradition and flavor in every slice.
Scan with your phone to download!
In a small saucepan, warm the milk until lukewarm (about 37-40°C or 100-105°F). Add 1 teaspoon of the sugar and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, the remaining sugar, and salt.
Melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Mix the melted butter, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients. Knead the dough for about 8–10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, combine the ground walnuts, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until warm, then pour it over the walnut mixture. Stir until the mixture is well combined and set aside to cool.
Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately 40x30 cm (16x12 inches).
Spread the walnut filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 2 cm (1 inch) border around the edges.
Starting from one of the longer sides, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seams to seal it, and tuck the ends underneath.
Place the roll, seam side down, into a parchment-lined loaf pan or onto a baking sheet. Cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Brush the top of the roll with the beaten egg white for a shiny finish.
Bake the potica in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Let the potica cool completely before slicing. Serve as is or lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Enjoy!
Serving size | (1422.3g) |
---|
Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
---|---|
Calories | 5198.2 |
Total Fat 267.6g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 74.7g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g | |
Cholesterol 282.6mg | 0% |
Sodium 2604.7mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 616.0g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 33.1g | 0% |
Total Sugars 201.7g | |
Protein 104.8g | 0% |
Vitamin D 108.9IU | 0% |
Calcium 746.3mg | 0% |
Iron 31.9mg | 0% |
Potassium 2392.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories