Description
Povitica is a traditional Eastern European sweet bread filled with a rich walnut filling, rolled into thin layers to create beautiful swirls. This festive loaf is tender, buttery, and perfect for holidays, special occasions, or as a heartfelt homemade gift.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups ground walnuts
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for filling)
- 1/4 cup milk (for filling)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add melted butter, eggs, vanilla, remaining sugar, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- While the dough rises, prepare the filling: combine ground walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder (if using), melted butter, and milk into a thick paste.
- Once dough has risen, roll it out on a floured surface into a large, thin rectangle, nearly transparent.
- Spread the walnut filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll the dough tightly from the long edge into a log.
- Coil or fold the log into a greased loaf pan, tucking the ends underneath.
- Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaf for 45–60 minutes. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Remove from oven and cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Use cocoa powder in the filling for a deeper color and flavor, or omit for a traditional version.Roll dough as thinly as possible for more defined swirls.Let the bread cool completely before slicing for the cleanest cuts.Cover with foil during baking if the top darkens too quickly.Pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds can replace walnuts for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
