Best 5 Aunt Patsys Croatian Nut Rolls Recipes

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Embark on a delightful culinary journey with Aunt Patsy's Croatian Nut Rolls, a treasured family recipe passed down through generations. These delectable pastries, also known as Povitica, are a testament to the rich heritage of Croatian baking. Each bite of these swirled rolls is a symphony of flavors and textures, with a tender, buttery dough enveloping a sweet and nutty filling. The intricate layers of dough and filling create a visually stunning presentation, making them a centerpiece of any gathering. This article presents a collection of three irresistible variations of Aunt Patsy's Croatian Nut Rolls: the classic walnut filling, a tantalizing poppy seed filling, and a unique lekvar filling made from plums. Each recipe is meticulously detailed, guiding you through every step of the process, from preparing the dough to shaping and baking the rolls. With the guidance of this article, you'll be able to recreate Aunt Patsy's cherished nut rolls in your own kitchen, filling your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pastries.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

HOLIDAY NUT ROLL (AMERICANIZED CROATIAN NUT ROLL)



Holiday Nut Roll (Americanized Croatian Nut Roll) image

While similar to other nut roll recipes, this filling is unique because it uses no egg whites or lemon and includes a delicious "Americanization" of the Slavic recipe by adding--whiskey! It adds a fantastic additional flavor; feel free to split the filling before adding whiskey if you'd like to reserve some spirit-free for the kids (though it cooks off and I've never met a kid who didn't like this). Makes a big batch--perfect for giving away. Freezes very well. My sister and I will make double this batch all at once and freeze them until we're ready to give/send them out.

Provided by Just Garlic

Categories     Breads

Time 1h20m

Yield 10-12 rolls

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups milk
3 (1/4 ounce) packages dry yeast
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup white sugar
1 lb melted butter (4 sticks, or substitute)
10 cups white flour
3 lbs walnuts
1 cup white sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 lb melted butter (or substitute)
3 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 -3 shots whiskey
flour, for rolling
2 egg yolks, beaten (to brush tops of rolls)

Steps:

  • Scald milk in small pan, set off burner and cool to warm. In large mixing bowl combine warm milk and yeast with wire whisk. Beat eggs in separate bowl, then add to milk. Beat milk-egg mixture by hand for 2 minutes. Mix in sugar and margarine. Add flour slowly, mixing as you go (my grandmother insists this should be done with a wood spoon). Do not rise, do not chill. Set aside.
  • Chop walnuts (food processor or very finely by hand). In large mixing bowl, combine walnuts, white sugar, and milk. Mix thoroughly. Add remaining ingredients (butter, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, whiskey), mixing thoroughly. Filling should be thick and moist, but not stiff.
  • Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Separate large dough ball completely into 10-12 equal balls (simple method is to cut dough to equal portions on a cutting board with a lightly floured butcher knife then reform portions to balls).
  • On a rolling board or clean counter, roll each dough ball to about 1/4 inch thickness in an oblong-oval shape. Spread nut mixture over rolled dough, covering the entirety with a thin layer, and keeping the mixture about 1/2 inch to 1 inch away from the edges of the dough.
  • Form the roll first by folding the horizontal edges of the dough inwards on both the left and right sides. Then fold up the bottom of the dough about 1 1/2 inches. Each side and the bottom of the dough should now be folded in towards the middle of the rolled dough so that the nut covering is enclosed by the folded sides. Begin rolling from the bottom of the dough (where you just made the fold) towards the top. When you reach the top, fold the edges into a wide triangular flap (so that the roll will end with an overlapping wide "V"). Place the roll "V" down on a greased cookie sheet. This sounds complicated, but the basic idea is simply to close off the edges to prevent leaking--if you simply roll it like a jelly roll, the filling would ooze out and burn on the pan.
  • Brush top with beaten egg (makes the roll pale gold-brown when baked).
  • Repeat process to form other rolls. If nut mixture becomes thick and difficult to spread add more evaporated milk.
  • Keep rolls at least 2 inches apart on baking sheets, and bake each for 20-25 minutes or until tops appear golden-brown. Cool at least 20 minutes before moving.

POTICA (CROATIAN NUT ROLL)



Potica (Croatian Nut Roll) image

We always looked forward to the holidays when we could get nut roll. Now our grandmas are unable to make them and it is not the same. This is the recipe from my Grandmother for nut roll.

Provided by hcopeland

Categories     Breads

Time 3h50m

Yield 4 loaves, 32-40 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup water
2 (1/4 ounce) packages dry yeast
2 cups milk, lukewarm
3/4 cup sugar
3 teaspoons salt
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup butter (not spread or tub product) or 1/2 cup margarine (not spread or tub product)
8 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
2 -3 lbs nuts, shelled and ground
2 -3 cups sugar
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk (Pet brand preferred) or 1 pint half-and-half
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup butter
4 egg whites, beaten (optional)

Steps:

  • Stir yeast into water.
  • Mix butter, milk, sugar, and salt.
  • Add egg yolks, yeast mixture and 2 cup flour.
  • Mix thoroughly.
  • Add remaining flour and turn dough out on a floured surface.
  • Knead until smooth, elastic and does not stick to surface.
  • Place in greased bowl and let rise 1 hour.
  • Grease your baking pan.
  • Filling: mix milk, salt, margarine and sugar.
  • Heat slightly until margarine melts and sugar is dissolved.
  • Add nuts then to stretch mixture you can fold in beaten egg whites.
  • After it has risen, divide into 4 equal parts.
  • Do not knead.
  • Roll each piece to about 1/8 inch thick.
  • Spread with cooled filling.
  • Roll jelly-roll style and place seam down in a greased pan.
  • Let rise for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Bake 40 - 45 minutes.

AUNT PATSY'S CROATIAN NUT ROLLS



Aunt Patsy's Croatian Nut Rolls image

My best pal Pat, is a wonderful baker. As I am not, I coaxed her into baking for me. When I moved away I lost all her goodies. Her nut rolls are better than any I've ever tasted and I missed them. She gave me the recipe and assured me I could make them. Well, she was right and now I make them every Christmas.

Provided by Janice Splaha

Categories     Sweet Breads

Number Of Ingredients 10

NUT FILLING
2 lb ground walnuts
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c milk
6 egg whites
1/4 lb butter
1/2 c honey
DOUGH
1 box pillsbury hot roll mix
5 Tbsp butter

Steps:

  • 1. FILLING: Combine filling ingredients in a saucepan. Cook and stir until well blended. Do not boil. When hot, remove from heat to get to warm.
  • 2. DOUGH: make the Hot Roll Mix according to package directions using hot water, soft butter and an egg. Then add 5 tablespoons butter.
  • 3. Mix the dough using floured hands. Form into a ball. Cover with a bowl and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • 4. Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 to 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
  • 5. Roll out 1/2 the dough. Add 1/2 the nut filling. Roll dough up into a loaf. Make second loaf. Place on 2 greased cookie sheets. Cover and let rise again for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • 6. Brush loaves with beaten egg. Bake at 350* for 25 to 30 minutes or until loaves are brown.

VICTORIA SKONIECZKI'S (GRANDMOM'S) NUT ROLL (MAKOWIEC)



Victoria Skonieczki's (Grandmom's) Nut Roll (Makowiec) image

This Polish/Czech holiday roll is great as a dessert or breakfast treat. This bread may be filled with nut meats or a poppy seed filling. You can freeze the loaves after they are completely cooled.

Provided by Brigid Hegarty

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes

Time 4h40m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 12

7 ½ cups walnuts
¾ cup butter
½ cup white sugar
3 tablespoons maple flavoring
6 cups sifted all-purpose flour, divided, or as needed
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 cup butter
½ cup water
3 large eggs at room temperature

Steps:

  • Place walnuts in a food processor. Process until roughly ground.
  • Melt 3/4 cup butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar until dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add ground walnuts and maple flavoring; stir to combine.
  • Mix 2 cups flour, yeast, 3 tablespoons sugar, and salt together in a bowl.
  • Combine sour cream, 1 cup butter, and water in a saucepan over low heat. Warm until melted, about 2 minutes; do not boil. Remove from heat; let stand until cool enough to dip a finger in, about 3 minutes.
  • Add sour cream mixture to the flour mixture slowly. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl as you go. Add eggs and 1 additional cup flour; stir briefly to combine. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes more. Stir in remaining flour 1 cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
  • Turn dough out onto a floured surface; knead several times and roll into a ball. Let rise for 10 minutes. Grease 2 jelly roll pans.
  • Divide dough into 4 pieces; roll each out to a 14x12-inch rectangle. Spread 1/4 of the filling over each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch space around all edges. Roll each up lengthwise, jelly-roll fashion; pinch seams closed. Place, seams down, on the prepared pans. Cover with a damp cloth; let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 35 minutes. Place rolls on a rack to cool completely, 2 to 3 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 302.5 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 42 mg, Fat 21.8 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 5.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 138.5 mg, Sugar 4.5 g

AUNT BETTY'S HUNGARIAN NUT ROLL



Aunt Betty's Hungarian Nut Roll image

This recipe was from my favorite aunt. Our family always looked forward to going to her home, and she would always serve this delicious Hungarian nut roll.

Provided by john zelahy

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes

Time 2h15m

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
warm water as needed
¾ cup white sugar
½ cup shortening (such as Crisco®)
1 ½ tablespoons shortening (such as Crisco®)
½ cup butter, melted
5 egg yolks
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla-butternut flavoring
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups warm milk
6 egg whites
8 cups chopped pecans
¾ cup white sugar
½ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Dissolve yeast in warm water in a bowl according to package instructions. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
  • While yeast softens, combine sugar, 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons shortening, butter, egg yolks, egg, vanilla-butternut flavoring, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl. Beat using an electric mixer until creamy and thoroughly combined.
  • Combine flour, milk, and yeast mixture in a separate bowl; mix into egg mixture until well combined and a dough forms. Set aside to rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  • Knead risen dough down gently; cut into 4 equal pieces. Set the pieces aside and let rise for an additional 20 minutes.
  • While rolls rise, beat egg whites using an electric mixer in a mixing bowl until stiff. Add pecans, sugar, honey, and vanilla extract; beat to combine.
  • Roll out each piece of dough using a lightly floured rolling pin on a lightly floured work surface, to approximately 13x18-inch rectangles, 1/4-inch thick.
  • Spread pecan mixture approximately 1/4-inch thick onto the dough. Roll up dough, beginning from the side. Place rolls 2 1/2-inches apart on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 303 calories, Carbohydrate 28.6 g, Cholesterol 30.6 mg, Fat 19.7 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 76.2 mg, Sugar 10.6 g

Tips:

  • Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will greatly enhance the flavor of your nut rolls.
  • Make sure your yeast is active before using it. If you're not sure, you can test it by dissolving it in warm water with a little sugar. If it bubbles up after a few minutes, it's active and ready to use.
  • Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. This will help to develop the gluten in the flour, which will give your nut rolls a chewy texture.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will help to create a light and airy texture.
  • When rolling out the dough, make sure to use a light touch. If you roll it out too thinly, it will be difficult to work with and may tear.
  • Brush the dough with melted butter before adding the filling. This will help to prevent the filling from sticking to the dough.
  • Bake the nut rolls in a preheated oven until they are golden brown. This will help to ensure that they are cooked through.

Conclusion:

Aunt Patsy's Croatian Nut Rolls are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their sweet, nutty filling and flaky crust, they are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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