Croatian · Dessert
Walnut Roll Gužvara
A traditional Croatian sweet bread featuring a rich yeast dough filled with ground walnuts, sugar, and spices, then shaped into a log and baked. This festive pastry develops complex flavors through slow rising and delivers a perfect balance of sweet filling and tender bread.
The Method
Instructions
Start by gathering all your ingredients for the dough and mixing them together in a large bowl. Use your hands or a stand mixer to knead the dough well until it becomes smooth and elastic. This can take about 8 to 10 minutes, so be patient and enjoy the process. Once your dough feels soft and stretchy, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or cling film, and set it in a warm spot to rise. It should take about 2 hours for the dough to double in size, so this is a great time to relax, maybe prepare your filling, or catch up on a favorite show.
Once your dough has risen beautifully and is puffed up, gently knock it back by pressing down firmly to release the air. Then give it a light knead just to redistribute everything evenly; we want to keep that lovely airiness for later.
Now, divide the dough into two equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, take one piece and roll it out into an oblong shape, about 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. Repeat with the second piece. The dough should be soft but hold its shape well, so don't worry if it's a bit uneven,that just adds character!
Next, mix together all the filling ingredients until well combined. This nutty, sweet mixture will be the star of the show. Spread the filling evenly over each dough oblong, making sure you go all the way to the edges for a perfect bite every time.
Once generously covered, start rolling each oblong up tightly from one of the longer edges, aiming to create two neat rolls about 12 inches long. The tighter you roll, the better the swirl will look when sliced. Place these two dough sausages side by side, touching each other, on a greased baking sheet. Cover them again with a towel or cling film, and let them rise for a second time, about 40 minutes, until they puff up nicely.
While your rolls are rising, preheat your oven to a nice hot 200ºC (425ºF) . This high temperature will help you get a beautiful golden crust. When the dough has risen and looks ready to bake, pop the tray into the oven. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes until the rolls are well risen and have turned a gorgeous golden brown. You'll know they're done when you tap the base of the bread and it sounds hollow,like a little drum.
As soon as you take the walnut rolls out of the oven, brush the tops with some warm milk. This adds a lovely shine and keeps the crust soft. To finish, sift a generous covering of icing sugar over the top for a beautiful, sweet touch. Let them cool a bit before slicing, then enjoy these Croatian delights with a cup of tea or coffee.
Once your dough has risen beautifully and is puffed up, gently knock it back by pressing down firmly to release the air. Then give it a light knead just to redistribute everything evenly; we want to keep that lovely airiness for later.
Now, divide the dough into two equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, take one piece and roll it out into an oblong shape, about 12 inches long and 8 inches wide. Repeat with the second piece. The dough should be soft but hold its shape well, so don't worry if it's a bit uneven,that just adds character!
Next, mix together all the filling ingredients until well combined. This nutty, sweet mixture will be the star of the show. Spread the filling evenly over each dough oblong, making sure you go all the way to the edges for a perfect bite every time.
Once generously covered, start rolling each oblong up tightly from one of the longer edges, aiming to create two neat rolls about 12 inches long. The tighter you roll, the better the swirl will look when sliced. Place these two dough sausages side by side, touching each other, on a greased baking sheet. Cover them again with a towel or cling film, and let them rise for a second time, about 40 minutes, until they puff up nicely.
While your rolls are rising, preheat your oven to a nice hot 200ºC (425ºF) . This high temperature will help you get a beautiful golden crust. When the dough has risen and looks ready to bake, pop the tray into the oven. Bake for about 30 to 35 minutes until the rolls are well risen and have turned a gorgeous golden brown. You'll know they're done when you tap the base of the bread and it sounds hollow,like a little drum.
As soon as you take the walnut rolls out of the oven, brush the tops with some warm milk. This adds a lovely shine and keeps the crust soft. To finish, sift a generous covering of icing sugar over the top for a beautiful, sweet touch. Let them cool a bit before slicing, then enjoy these Croatian delights with a cup of tea or coffee.
Pairs Well With
