Croatian Recipes: Easter Sirnica

Sirnica

Sirnica, also called Pinca in some parts of the country, is a traditional Easter sweet bread. Initially a Dalmatian tradition, it has spread and is popular all over Croatia today.

You can buy them in the shops around Easter but nothing better than homemade.

Ingredients:

All-purpose Flour – 1 kg
Yeast – 40 g
Butter – 200 g
Sugar – 200 g
Vanilla sugar – 10 g
Egg yolks – 6
Milk – 500 ml
Lemon
Orange
Rum – shot
Rakija (fruit brandy)- shot
Salt

Instructions:

1. Add a teaspoon of sugar, flour, and yeast to warm milk and set aside for 15 minutes to rise.

2. Put in a bigger bowl and add to it the rest of the flour and mix, Keep beating and add milk, melted butter, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt.

3. Add the rum, rakija, grated lemon and orange skin and then mix again. Mix well to produce a firm dough until the surface becomes smooth. Put the dough in a floured bowl, cover with a cloth and let it rise at least 8-10 hours or overnight.

4. Place the ready dough onto a floured board and cut into 3 even pieces. Shape them into round balls and place individually on a baking sheet and leave again to rise.

5. Brush with egg yolk, and crush a cube of sugar and sprinkle over the top. Make 3 deep cuts (from centre to edge).

6. Put in heated over on 200°C for 30 minutes.

Check out the video below: