Pogača sa Maslacem (Butter Bread)
A soft, rich, and slightly sweet bread, often made for celebrations and holidays. It's characterized by its tender crumb and buttery flavor, achieved through the generous use of butter and sometimes milk or yogurt.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g All-purpose flour
- 7 g Active dry yeast
- 250 ml Warm milk(around 40-45°C)
- 50 g Granulated sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 100 g Unsalted butter(softened, plus more for greasing)
- 2 large Egg yolks(for richness)
- 1 large Egg(for egg wash)
- 2 tbsp Sesame seeds(for topping (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
⏱️ 10 minutes💡 Tip: Ensure milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast. - 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Make a well in the center.
💡 Tip: Using a large bowl makes kneading easier. - 3
Pour the activated yeast mixture, remaining sugar, softened butter, and egg yolks into the well. Mix with a spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
- 4
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
⏱️ 10 minutes💡 Tip: Add a little more flour if it's too sticky to handle, but avoid adding too much. - 5
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 1 hour💡 Tip: A slightly warm oven (turned off) is a good place for rising. - 6
Punch down the dough gently. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a greased round baking pan.
- 7
Cover the shaped dough again and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 8
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Whisk the egg with a tablespoon of water or milk for the egg wash. Brush the top of the pogača with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.
💡 Tip: An egg wash gives the bread a beautiful golden sheen. - 9
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the pogača is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
⏱️ 35 minutes💡 Tip: If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent it with foil. - 10
Let the pogača cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving. It's delicious on its own or with spreads.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For an even richer flavor, you can substitute some of the milk with plain yogurt.
- ✓Ensure the butter is truly softened, not melted, for the best dough texture.
- ✓This bread is often decorated with dough cutouts for special occasions.
🔄 Variations
- Add a tablespoon of honey to the dough for a sweeter bread.
- Incorporate a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest for a subtle citrus note.
- A sprinkle of poppy seeds can be used instead of sesame seeds.