Potica (Croatian Nut Roll)

Submitted by hcopeland

"We always looked forward to the holidays when we could get nut roll. Now our grandmas are unable to make them and it is not the same. This is the recipe from my Grandmother for nut roll."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 50mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Yields: 4 loaves
• Serves: 32-40

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages dry yeast
• 2 cups milk, lukewarm
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 4 egg yolks
• 1⁄2 cup butter (not spread or tub product) or 1/2 cup margarine (not spread or tub product)
• 8 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

• FILLING

• 2 -3 lbs nuts, shelled and ground
• 2 -3 cups sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk (Pet brand preferred) or 1 pint half-and-half
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 4 egg whites, beaten (optional)

directions

1. Stir yeast into water.
2. Mix butter, milk, sugar, and salt.
3. Add egg yolks, yeast mixture and 2 cup flour.
4. Mix thoroughly.
5. Add remaining flour and turn dough out on a floured surface.
6. Knead until smooth, elastic and does not stick to surface.
7. Place in greased bowl and let rise 1 hour.
8. Grease your baking pan.
9. Filling: mix milk, salt, margarine and sugar.
10. Heat slightly until margarine melts and sugar is dissolved.
11. Add nuts then to stretch mixture you can fold in beaten egg whites.
12. After it has risen, divide into 4 equal parts.
13. Do not knead.
14. Roll each piece to about 1/8 inch thick.
15. Spread with cooled filling.
16. Roll jelly-roll style and place seam down in a greased pan.
17. Let rise for 1 hour.
18. Preheat oven to 350°F.
19. Bake 40 - 45 minutes.

Reviews

[katie in the UP]

We look forward to the Holidays...for Potica. I like them filled with poppyseed filling also. These also make great gifts for the neighbors!

 

[Liz King]

This is my second year baking this recipe. It is very close to my grandmother's recipe, according to my father. The only alteration that I have made is that I drizzle the filling with honey after spreading it over the dough: a personal touch that my Croatian grandmother used to add. I also use one of the divided pieces of dough to make poppyseed roll; again, something my grandmother did. The flavor and texture of the dough is excellent.

 

[Sammy]

Wow this was surprisingly easy to make and delicious. I have to make more because everyone enjoyed it so much. I did do a few things differently. I followed all of the ingredients exactly but i let the dough rise until at least double in size. Then I put it on a sheet on my table rolled it out then I stretched it to make it as thin as possible (without creating too many holes, This dough is so easy to work with.) Then I spread the filling on the dough and rolled in into a long log and cut it into desirable lengths. Instead of letting the dough rise another hour I baked it right away for about 40 minutes. This turned out so good and was so easy i am going to be handing these out for Christmas.

 

[lilija55]

This is excellent. Mom used to make three or four poticas for Christmas. Ate them all whether from the freezer or warmed up. They are excellent.

 

[sharonakz]

This was absolutely wonderful and exactly like my Polish grandmother's! I added a glaze on top (only because it's the way I've always had it). Next time I'll bake it for less time, about 30-35 minutes.