Trdelnik - Slovak/Czech Sweet Pastry

Tomas Sedlacek's Note:

This recipe is result of request by many forum members. My first recipe here, and on top of it, transated from Slovak / Czech original (well, but by native Czech chef), so bear with me :-) Some history - original recipe is dated to 17th century, perhaps the original is from Hungary or even Easter parts of Europe. TRDLO - the exact translation is "clodpole, or clodpoll or goofy", but meaning here is the wooden stick, about two feet long and 3 to 4 inches in diameter, which this sweet pastry is supposed to be baked on. Original recipe calls for baking it over open fire (hot coals), wrapped around this buttered wooden stick. However, metal works too. After many sleeples nights I found solution, which easily allows me (now you too)to prepare this in USA. (aren't I a clever boy :-))) Round wooden stick is still needed (any hardware store), can be wrapped in AL foil, if you don't trust the bare wood. Best part for upcoming warm weather - the grill. Yea, get your grillmaster out of there and rig this trdlo, (ok, we'll call it wooden stick) over the grill. Do not try to lay it on the grill screen, has to be above in the air!! Take the grilling screen out if possible and bake the trdelnik over the hot coals. This easy setup will allow you to bake it the way it was last couple hundred years, no oven or such, this is awsome and super easy fun.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 40 mins
• Prep Time: 2 hrs
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 25

Yield: 5.0 pastrie ...

Dough ingredients

• 2 lbs all-purpose flour
• 5 ounces unsalted butter
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 5 egg yolks
• 1 ounce fresh yeast
• ½ cup milk (milk as needed, nonexistent exact measure)

Frosting ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts (finely chopped)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg

Directions:

1. Please read the description part first, as it's essential for this recipe. Thak you.
2. First stiff into large mixing bowl flour and powdered sugar. Make a small hole in the middle and place into it crumbled fresh yeast. Pour lukewarm milk over the yeast. Let it rise for about 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile melt the butter.
4. Add egg yolks into the bowl, pour in melted, but not hot butter, add pinch of salt.
5. Mix together to make fairly firm dough, well worked (use stand mixer, it's easy).
6. Let the dough rise for 20 minutes in warm place.
7. Divide into five equal parts, make loafs.
8. You can let it rise for another 20 minutes (it's better, but not necessary if fresh yeast used, a must with dry yeast).
9. Roll out each loaf into 2/3 inch diameter /caster?/ - you know what I mean, thin, cylindrical shape, like a small snake :-)).
10. lol.
11. Wrap the dough tighty around the BUTTERED "trdlo" wooden stick. Let it stand for ten more minutes (support the ends, so it will be in the air).
12. Glair with the last egg, cover all around with chopped walnuts and granulated sugar.
13. Bake as described above over hot coals on the grill. Results MAY be achieved with oven, but . . . .
14. The pastry need to be turned pretty often during baking, and baked until golden red color. Baking time is not determined, since baking over hot coals and on open air, but from my experience about 20 to 40 minutes, also depends on size you making.
15. When cooled down a little,
16. slide the baked pastry of the wooden stick, cut into individual servings, sprinkle with powdered sugar, enjoy.
17. Also you can cover it in various nuts, coconut and such.
18. Makes five, baked on two feet long, three inch diameter wooden stick.
19. I tried to have your reading bit more enjoyable, if there is something not so clear (this recipe is VERY unusuall), feel free to ask.
20. Tomas Sedlacek.

Reviews

[Chef #805842]

Like everyone else who goes to Prague, you got to love these sweet pastries. Can't wait for warmer weather and try this recipe. Then I'll give you a thumbs up review. Thanks for putting on line.

[Expat Wife]

Thank you so much for posting this recipe. Some girlfriends and I just came back from Prague where we had this wonderful pastry. I was given the task of trying to find out how to make this since we all loved it so. I will definitely try this recipe out when the weather warms up a bit. Thanks again for the great recipe and directions. Happy New Year!!