Pogacha is a white bread claimed by Serbians, Croatians and Macedonians. It is similar to Italian Vienna bread in texture and flavor and there are as many recipes for it as there are shapes. This one-rise recipe produces a round loaf.
Makes 1 (10-inch) round loaf
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 5 cups all-purpose flour plus additional for shaping
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 large egg, slightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
Preparation:
- Scald milk and add butter. Allow to cool to lukewarm. Add yeast and sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Measure 5 cups flour into work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add milk-yeast mixture, sour cream, oil, egg and salt. Mix well.
- Switch to dough hook and knead on medium-low for about 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Turn out into a large greased bowl. Flip dough over to grease both sides, cover and let rise until doubled. See this Quick Tip for faster rising.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Punch down dough and place in a 10-inch round greased pan with high sides (about 3 inches) or handshape into a 10-inch round and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Using a sharp knife or a lame, slash top of dough three times. Some make an "X" on top. Bake about 1 hour or until instant-read thermometer registers 190 degrees. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.
