How to Bake Povitica - Eastern European Sweet Bread - The Perfect Christmas Bread

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil offers a dairy-free option with a similar texture.

ground walnuts

🥗Healthier: ground almonds

💰Cheaper: mixed nuts

Ground almonds provide a lower-cost nut alternative.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk reduces calories and is suitable for lactose intolerance.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey adds natural sweetness with a unique flavor.

Start by mixing 1.25 cups of flour, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 1.5 teaspoons of salt in a mixer bowl.

Add 2 tablespoons of yeast and mix with the dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 egg, and 0.5 cups of milk, then add to the dry mixture.

Mix on slow speed, then increase to medium speed for about 6 minutes until combined.

Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl and let it prove for 1 hour.

While the dough is proving, melt 4 tablespoons of butter and 4 tablespoons of milk for the filling.

Crush 10 ounces of walnuts and combine with 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 0.5 cups of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder until sandy in texture.

Add 1 egg yolk and the melted butter to the walnut mixture and mix well.

Roll out the risen dough on a floured surface into a 20 by 12 rectangle.

Brush the rolled dough with melted butter.

Spread the filling evenly over the dough, smoothing it out.

Roll the dough tightly like a Swiss roll.

Let the rolled dough rise again for 1 hour in a greased loaf pan.

Brush the top with a beaten egg white for color.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 300°F and bake for an additional 45 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 30 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.

Drizzle icing over the cooled bread before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens