Slovenian Walnut Pogača

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 250ml (1 cup) warm milk 250ml (1 cup) warm milk
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 100g (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted 100g (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 200g (1 ½ cups) walnuts, finely chopped 200g (1 ½ cups) walnuts, finely chopped
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 19g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 12g
• Protein: 9g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. 2.
   Make a well in the center and pour in the warm milk, eggs, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough back into the bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the chopped walnuts, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon to create the filling.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal parts.
8. 8.
   Roll out one part of the dough into a rectangular shape, about 1cm (½ inch) thick.
9. 9.
   Spread half of the walnut filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
10. 10.
    Starting from one of the longer sides, tightly roll the dough into a log shape.
11. 11.
    Repeat steps 8-10 with the remaining dough and filling.
12. 12.
    Place both rolls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
13. 13.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the Pogača turns golden brown.
14. 14.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Walnuts — Make sure to finely chop the walnuts to ensure an even distribution of flavor throughout the Pogača.

Tips & Tricks

• For a sweeter variation, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top of the Pogača before serving.
• You can add a hint of lemon zest to the walnut filling for a refreshing twist.
• Serve the Pogača warm with a dollop of butter or cream cheese for an extra indulgence.
• If you prefer a more savory version, you can substitute the walnut filling with a mixture of cheese and herbs.
• Leftover Pogača can be toasted and enjoyed with your favorite spreads or used as a base for sandwiches.

Serving advice

Serve the Walnut Pogača as a centerpiece for breakfast or brunch. Slice it into thick pieces and enjoy it on its own or with a side of fresh salad or soup.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, brush the top of the Pogača with melted butter before baking. This will give it a beautiful golden shine.