Croatian sweet Easter bread "Pinca"
 
 
Recipe type: Croatian traditional cuisine
Serves: 1 larger or 2 smaller Pinca
Ingredients
  • 500 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 1 sachet dry yeast (1 sachet = 7g = 1.5 teaspoons)
  • 100 g (just under ½ cup) unsalted butter
  • 100 g (1/2 cup) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 200 ml (1 cup + 2 tbsp) warm milk ( I used oat milk)
  • 1 lemon or orange zest, grated (organic, untreated)
  • 1 tablespoons rakija (Croatian type of grappa, you can use Italian grappa or rum)
  • pinch of salt
  • For glaze: 1 egg whisked + 1 or 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • Note: these are the quantities for one larger Pinca or two smaller
Preparation
  1. In a large mixing bowl combine flour and dry yeast.
  2. Mix in the butter (soften at room temperature) and then add sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, grated orange or lemon zest, rakija (grappa or rum) and a pinch of salt.
  3. Slowly add warm milk and combine kneading until the dough forms. Dough should be compact with a relatively smooth surface.
  4. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place at least 2-3 hours until it doubles in size.
  5. After that knead it for a minute or two, form a ball if making one larger Pinca or two balls if making two smaller Pinca. Put dough ball on a tray lined with baking (parchment) paper and let rise for at least another hour.
  6. Once dough is well risen, make three deep cuts on the upper side of Pinca, from the centre towards the edge down in three directions. Glaze with a mixture of whisked egg and a little bit of granulated sugar.
  7. Bake in the oven previously heated to 180 C (356 F) for about 35-45 minutes. I suggest covering with a baking paper when they get golden brown on top.
  8. Remove from the oven, cover with kitchen cloth and let it cool. Enjoy!
  9. NOTE: This baking time is if you are baking one larger Pinca. If you divided the dough in two and are making two smaller ones, then you need to adjust the baking time and reduce it accordingly.
Recipe by Travelling oven at https://www.travellingoven.com/2015/03/croatian-sweet-easter-bread-pinca/