Etta's Unforgettable Potica

Total Time: 4 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm milk (105 - 115 degrees)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 6 egg yolks
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup good whiskey
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 6 cups walnuts, ground very fine

Recipe

• 1 pour whiskey over walnuts and let sit.
• 2 sprinkle yeast over warm milk in a glass measuring cup. stir in 3 tablespoons of the flour and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
• 3 beat butter and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a large bowl until creamy. add yolks, one at a time, beating will after each addition. stir in yeast mixture.
• 4 combine cream and milk in a small bowl.
• 5 combine 3 cups of the flour and salt in a second bowl. on low speed, beat flour/salt mixture alternately with cream mixture into butter mixture in 2 or 3 batches, beating well after each. with a wooden spoon, stir in remaining 2 cups flour; dough will be very soft. turn dough out onto lightly floured board. knead 12 - 15 minutes or until smooth and elastic, adding more flour as needed (about 1/4 cup total) to prevent sticking. place dough in a greased large bowl, turning to coat. cover with greased waxed paper and a clean kitchen towel. let rise in warm place until dough is almost doubled, about 2 hours.
• 6 beat eggs, sugar and cream in a large bowl. stir in walnuts & whiskey (don't worry, nuts will look purple from soaking in the whiskey). set aside.
• 7 punch dough down. on floured work surface, divide dough into 2 pieces. cover other piece with a greased waxed paper and a kitchen towel. roll the remaining piece of dough into a long rectangle about 30x13-inch. gently spread with 1/2 of filling on top, leaving a 1/2" border all around the edge. beginning with the short side, roll up tightly, jelly-roll style. bring ends together to make a circle and pinch together. place, seam side down, on a greased baking sheet. cover with lightly greased waxed paper and kitchen towel. repeat with remaining piece of dough and filling. let rise in a warm place about 1 1/4 hours or until doubled in bulk.
• 8 heat oven to 350°f.
• 9 bake for 40 - 45 minutes or until golden brown. transfer to a wire rack. let cool slightly and serve warm or cool completely.