Slovak Nut Rolls

Slovak Nut Rolls Recipe - Authentic Delight from Slovakia

Region / culture: Slovakia | Preparation time: 4 hours | Cooking time: 30 minutes | Servings: 3

Introduction

Slovak Nut Rolls, also known as Kolace, are a traditional Slovak pastry that is typically served during holidays and special occasions. These sweet rolls are filled with a delicious nut mixture and are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

History

The recipe for Slovak Nut Rolls has been passed down through generations in Slovak families. It is a beloved recipe that is often made during Christmas and Easter celebrations. The sweet and nutty filling is a favorite among many and is a staple in Slovak cuisine.

Ingredients

0.25 cup crisco
0.25 cup margarine
2 cakes yeast
2 cup milk
2 tsp salt
0.5 cup sugar
2 eggs plus 1 egg
7 cup flour
0.5 lb (227 g) butter
2 pkg. of chopped walnuts
1 can of prune filling
1 pck. unsweetened cocoa
1 pck. of poppyseed

Nut Mixture

3 cup nuts mixed with 1 cup sugar
cocoa Mixture
1 cup cocoa mixed with 1 cup sugar
Poppyseed Mixture
3 cup poppyseed mixed with 1 cup sugar
egg Mixture
1 whole egg, pinch of salt, and 1 tsp sugar

How to prepare

Warm the milk and dissolve the yeast in it. Add 3 cups of flour and beat until smooth. Cover and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which should take about 2 hours. (Put it in the bowl you will use to make the bread.)
In another bowl, mix 0.5 cup of Crisco and margarine, 2 tsp of salt, 0.5 cup of sugar, and 2 eggs. Beat the ingredients until well blended. Add the remaining 4 cups of flour to the yeast mixture and beat until combined. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth. Cover and let it rise for 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size. Punch it down and let it rise again for about 45 minutes.
Divide the dough into thirds. Take one of the three pieces of dough and, using a rolling pin, roll it out on a floured board into a rectangle. Brush the rectangle with melted butter or margarine. Spread the nut (or other) mixture on the rectangle. Roll it up like a jelly roll and place it in a buttered baking pan. Repeat this process for the other 2 pieces of dough. If you are placing more than one kolac on the same baking pan, make sure they are not too close together. Cover and let them rise again for about 30 minutes at 325°F (163°C).

Variations

You can customize the filling of Slovak Nut Rolls by using different nuts, fruits, or jams.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to let the dough rise properly to ensure a light and fluffy texture.

- Be generous with the filling to ensure a delicious and flavorful nut roll.

- Brushing the dough with melted butter or margarine before adding the filling will help enhance the flavor.

- Be sure to space out the nut rolls on the baking pan to allow for even baking.

Serving Suggestions

Slovak Nut Rolls are best served warm with a cup of coffee or tea.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making perfect Slovak Nut Rolls is to let the dough rise properly and to ensure that the rolls are baked until golden brown.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can substitute butter for margarine in this recipe if desired.

Make Ahead Tips

Slovak Nut Rolls can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Slovak Nut Rolls on a decorative platter for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Slovak Nut Rolls pair well with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store leftover Slovak Nut Rolls in an airtight container at room temperature. To reheat, simply place in the microwave for a few seconds until warm.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Slovak Nut Rolls contains approximately 250 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Slovak Nut Rolls contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Slovak Nut Rolls contains approximately 15 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Slovak Nut Rolls contains approximately 5 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Slovak Nut Rolls are a good source of iron and calcium.

Alergens

Slovak Nut Rolls contain nuts, dairy, and eggs.

Summary

Slovak Nut Rolls are a delicious treat that is high in carbohydrates and fats. They are a good source of proteins, iron, and calcium, but may not be suitable for those with nut, dairy, or egg allergies.

Summary

Slovak Nut Rolls are a delicious and traditional Slovak pastry that is perfect for holidays and special occasions. With a sweet and nutty filling, these rolls are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

How did I get this recipe?

I can't forget the first time I saw this recipe for Slovak Nut Rolls. It was a cold winter day in my small village in Slovakia, and my grandmother had invited me into her kitchen to help her bake. I watched in awe as she effortlessly mixed together flour, sugar, and butter to create a dough that was soft and pliable. She then rolled it out into a thin sheet, sprinkled it with a generous amount of chopped walnuts and sugar, and rolled it up into a log, cutting it into individual rolls before baking them to golden perfection.

As I sat at the kitchen table, savoring the warm, nutty aroma that filled the room, my grandmother told me the story of how she had learned to make Slovak Nut Rolls. It was a story that had been passed down through generations of women in our family, each one adding their own twist to the recipe.

She explained that the origin of the recipe dated back to the days when our ancestors first settled in the Slovak countryside. They had brought with them only the most basic ingredients, but through their ingenuity and resourcefulness, they had managed to create delicious and hearty meals that sustained them through the harsh winters.

One day, a traveling baker had passed through the village, selling his freshly baked goods to the hungry villagers. Intrigued by the delicious aroma coming from his cart, my great-grandmother had approached him and asked if he would be willing to share his recipe for the nut rolls. The baker, impressed by her boldness and determination, had agreed, and my great-grandmother had spent hours watching him work, carefully noting down each step of the process.

From that day on, the nut rolls had become a staple in our family's kitchen, a symbol of our resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. My grandmother had continued to perfect the recipe over the years, adding her own special touch with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey.

As I listened to her story, I felt a deep sense of pride and connection to my heritage. I realized that the recipe for Slovak Nut Rolls was not just a collection of ingredients and instructions, but a piece of our family's history, a link to our past that had been passed down through the generations.

After that day, I made it my mission to learn how to make the nut rolls myself. I spent countless hours in my grandmother's kitchen, watching her work her magic with the dough and the nuts, carefully following her every move until I had mastered the recipe.

Now, whenever I bake a batch of Slovak Nut Rolls, I am transported back to that cold winter day in my grandmother's kitchen, surrounded by the warmth and love of my family. The nut rolls are not just a delicious treat to enjoy with a cup of tea, but a reminder of the strength and resilience that runs through my blood, a connection to my roots that I will cherish for the rest of my days.