TRADITIONAL CROATIAN POVITICA

Traditional Croatian Povitica image

This is our family recipe as dictated to me by my Great-Aunt. We have this every year during Easter and Christmas.

Provided by Chef Original Momma

Time 5h

Yield 10-15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 lb finely ground walnuts
2 eggs
2 cups milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
0.5 (1 lb) box raisins
1 fresh yeast cake
2 tablespoons warm water
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water
2 eggs, beaten
5 cups flour

Steps:

Combine filling ingredients except raisins in a heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until the mixture is fairly thick (about 30 minutes). Set aside to cool.
In a large heated bowl, combine yeast, warm water and 1/2 tsp sugar; stir until yeast is dissolved. Set in a warm place for about 5 minutes, until foamy.
Combine 1/2 cup sugar, melted butter and salt. Add boiling water; stir and cool until lukewarm. Add this mixture to yeast.
Stir in beaten eggs and add flour gradually.
Turn out onto a floured board and knead about 5 minutes. This will be softer than bread dough. Place in a greased bowl; cover and set in a warm place to rise until double in bulk.
Method for rolling out dough: Cover a work table with a large cotton dish towel or a cloth large enough to cover the entire table. Sprinkle cloth lightly with flour all over the cloth. Put dough in center and roll out as thin as possible with a rolling pin, maintaining a square or rectangle shape.
Spread the pulled dough evenly with the prepared filling.
Sprinkle with raisins.
Roll up the povitica as for a jelly roll, by lifting the cloth up on one side and letting the dough roll itself up.
Place in a large greased baking pan, two inches deep and form it into an "S" shape. Tuck in the ends and flatten it a little. This may also be cut in half and baked in angel food cake pans or bread pans.
Cover and let raise for 2-1/2 hours in a warm place.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10 minutes, then reduce to 350°F for 50 minutes until nicely browned.
Cool in pan for 30 minutes then remove from pan and finish cooling on wire rack.