Recipe: Orehnjacha

Orehnjacha or a nut roll is pastry made of sweet dough and nut cream rolled into a log shape. It is one of the first desserts I've learnt how to make with my grandma. It can last for days and goes excellent with a glass of milk.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup butter

• 3 eggs

• 1/2 pint sour cream

• 1 ounce active dry yeast

• 1/2 cup warm milk

• 1 teaspoon white sugar

• 7 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 1/2 pounds ground walnuts

• 1 1/4 cups melted butter

• 2 cups white sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 egg whites

Preparation:

In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup white sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 cup melted butter, and 3 eggs. Mix and add 1/2 pint sour cream. Mix together yeast with warm milk and 1 teaspoon sugar. Add to mixture. Add flour. Mix and knead. Divide dough into 7 equal parts.

To Make Filling: Melt 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons butter. Add 2 cups sugar and stir to dissolve. Add to ground walnuts and mix until coated. Add ground cinnamon and vanilla extract to taste, if desired. Divide filling into 7 equal amounts.

Roll each dough ball into rectangle. Spread slightly beaten egg white on top of dough. Spread equal amounts of filling on top of each rectangle. Roll in edges and spread edges with egg whites to seal. Then roll length wise. Brush tops with egg whites.

Bake in a 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) preheated oven for 30 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool it down before you eat.

Dobar tek!