Family Povitica Bread Making Day

For as long as I can remember it’s been a family tradition to hand out fresh baked Povitica bread loaves on Thanksgiving to our family members. The tradition started with my Great-Grandma Cook who used to make dozens of loaves of this yummy Croatian/Polish bread from scratch every year.

There was no written recipe when she made it. The ingredients were etched in her mind from her years of baking. As she grew older my family realized that her special recipe was something that needed to be passed down from generation to generation in memory of Grandma Cook. Thankfully, my aunt spent hours with Grandma learning the art of Povitica making, took Grandma’s estimates and created a written recipe to be recreated and enjoyed for years and years to come in our family.

For several years after Grandma passed away, my aunt carried on the tradition and baked Grandma’s famous walnut and cheese bread for the family. Three years ago, my sister and I took on the task of being the next generation to learn to make this heavenly homemade bread. Every year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving my mom’s side of the family gathers at my house to help watch my sister and me make Povitica.  I secretly believe they think we won’t share if they don’t show up to watch us.  Our aunt just can’t sit and watch.  She usually ends up getting covered in flour with us while she repeats Grandma’s stern words, “Theener, theener. Roll the dough theener“. 

My sister, Carrie, rolling her dough “theen“.

My daughter even got in on the action. She’s learning young. In twenty years I’ll be kicked back watching her bake the bread for me.

Here are the secret fillings that’ll put pounds on your thighs just from standing nearby. “Scald the milk. Don’t burn it, scald it.” Even though I was little, I can hear Grandma’s voice clear as day.

Time to put it all together.

I never dreamed someone would be messier in the kitchen than me, but I think my sister runs a close second.

Several hours later, twelve loaves of bread and a wonderful day spent with family and this is what we had.

Walnut and cheese Povitica.

We had a small bit of dough left in the end so we decided to experiment. My son requested cinnamon raisin bread. We rolled out the last of the dough, melted some butter and poured it over the dough, sprinkled on some cinnamon, sugar, raisins and a touch of brown sugar for extra sweetness. It was wonderful! Give it a try yourself with your favorite bread dough. Maybe it will start your own family bread making tradition.

Thank you to Great-Grandma Cook for wonderful memories of fresh baked bread from your native country, love, laughter and our new family tradition. We miss you!