Dessert Runner-Up | Kalach – A Croatian Dessert Bread

Directions

Bread dough: Soak yeast in 1/2 cup warm milk, sugar, and salt, leave set until bubbly. Beat butter and egg yolks together then add yeast mixture, remaining 1/2 cup milk, and vanilla. Mix in flour* and beat until smooth. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Make filling: Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form then fold in sugar and nuts. Add orange or lemon juice. Divide dough into 8 balls and roll to size of pie crust. Spread filling evenly over dough. Roll into tight log roll and place on greased cookie sheet. Stab top with knife every 2 inches, almost through, to let air out. Let rise 1/2 hour then bake at 350 for 35 to 45 minutes.

Alternate Filling: 1 cup ground poppy seeds, 2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix ingredients into smooth easy to spread paste.

*Recommend adding 3 1/2 cups flour to start, then gradually adding remaining 1 1/2 cups, or enough to reach smooth dough texture.