It’s Easter time again so that means we get to indulge in the best Polish Nut Roll recipe, one from my Grandma. (Also known as Easter Nut Roll)
Make the walnut filling first so that it has time to cool fully before using. Mix all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, it will take some time to come to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool to room temperature before spreading on the rolled out dough. Reserve at least 2 egg whites for the icing mixture.
Scald milk (heat until bubbles start to form) in a saucepan (or microwave, approximately 90 seconds). Remove from heat and stir in sugar, salt and butter. Stir until the butter is completely melted. Cool to lukewarm.
In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water (100-110 degrees) and add in about 1 Tablespoon of sugar. Allow to sit until mixture starts bubbling (this is called proofing the yeast). Stir in the milk mixture followed by the eggs, whiskey and then the flour, added one cup at a time. Add the flour until a soft elastic dough forms. If using a stand mixer, use the paddle for the first 4-5 cups and then switch to the dough hook. Once you have added all the flour, knead the dough either by hand or in a mixer with a bread hook for about 5 minutes. Put the dough into a greased (Crisco, butter, or olive oil) bow, cover with a damp towel and let raise until doubled in bulk (between 30-45 minutes).
Punch the dough down after doubling, then separate (pull or cut) into nine equal portions. Keep the portions of dough waiting to be rolled covered with a damp towel. Form one of the portions into a ball (about the size of a softball). Roll out the ball on a floured board into an 18 inch round pizza pie shape. Spread a generous portion of the walnut (see below for recipe), on the surface of the dough, leaving about 1 inch of dough without filling so you can make a seam when rolled. Roll up into a long loaf, being sure to end the roll on the filling-free side. Place the roll, seams side down, onto a greased (with Crisco or Pam) cookie sheet, leaving some room in between the rolls to raise, cover with a damp towel, and allow them to raise until doubled in bulk (about 30 minutes).
**About 2 rolls per cookie sheets will allow enough room for raise without touching. If the rolls touch, you are likely to have walnut filling leaking through and the dough in that spot won't be done.
Once doubled, make sure there is still room between each rolls to allow for further rising in the oven during baking. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 18 minutes until golden brown on top. Cool and ice with the icing mixture below.
Blend the butter, egg whites and vanilla extract in a bowl. Gradually stir in the powdered sugar. Adjust with a little water or powdered sugar as necessary for a smooth creamy texture.
Memories are reinforced in many ways. You can hear a song that will remind you of that time you were singing in the car with your best friends. You can smell the ocean and have your memories of the time you took surfing lessons. Food is another one of those triggers that will bring back strong memories.
For me, this recipe, brings not just one but a series of memories. Unfortunately, I was too young when my Grandma passed away, that I don’t really remember this from when she was still alive. But it does bring back memories of my mom.
Whenever my mom made this recipe, she would make it in huge batches. My mom would make 20-30 nut rolls for Easter. I remember helping my mom measure the flour and helping her make the filling. I remember the smell of the dough rising (my mom never really made many homemade breads outside of this recipe), the smell of the rolls baking in the oven, and just dying to eat them when the first batch was done. Would my mom let us? Oh no, we had to make sure we had enough.
My mom would ice all but a handful of the nut rolls (in the early days I think she iced them all), then wrapped them in plastic wrap. She would put a bow on top, and then we would hand them out to neighbors, friends, etc. 20 nut rolls would go very quickly.
But one of the memories that stands so strong for me is when I would bring the nut rolls over to our next door neighbor, Barbara and Sandy. Barbara would just smile and open it up to take a look the minute I brought her the nut roll. I just loved being able to bring a smile to her face, and I’m so glad to have these memories of her and Sandy.
Now that Barbara has passed on, my mom has passed on, Sandy has passed on, this nut roll recipe, even just looking at it, is just full of wonderful memories.
I hope you make your memories with this recipe too. Enjoy!
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