Povitica (Croatian Walnut Swirl Bread)

By Cubby

Ingredients

• FOR THE DOUGH:
• 1 (1/4-oz.) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup milk, heated to 115°
• 1/2 tbsp. kosher salt
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, plus more
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups flour, plus more
• FOR THE FILLING:
• 1 cup walnut halves, toasted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 2 egg whites

Details

Servings 8
Adapted from saveur.com

Preparation

Step 1

¾ cup milk, heated to 115°

1. Make the dough: Combine yeast, 1 tbsp. sugar, and half the milk in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment; let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add remaining sugar and milk, plus salt, butter, and egg; blend. With the motor running, slowly add flour; beat until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap; set in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

2. Make the filling: Purée walnuts, sugar, butter, milk, and cinnamon in a food processor into a smooth paste. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold in walnut paste.

3. Grease a 9" x 5" x 2¾" loaf pan with butter. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 10" x 4" long oval about 1/16" thick. Spread dough with walnut mixture. Starting from one narrow end, roll dough into a tight cylinder. Trim ends and transfer to pan; set in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

4. Heat oven to 350°. Bake until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool.