Tag Archives: Italian Pastry Shop

All About Potica!

Posted on by
Two slices of fresh potica on a clear plate

Potica (Pronounced: poh-teet-sah) is a sweet, nutty bread with a unique, meticulous way of being prepared.

Potica used to be reserved for special occasions due to its intensive recipe. However, at the Italian Bakery of Virginia, we have been perfecting our craft with our authentic traditional recipe since 1965.

Unfortunately, many people do not know of this wonderful treat, or have yet to try it! For the curious who want to know more, below are the two most common questions, besides “where can I buy some?”!

How Is It Made?

Due to the fact that potica has to be hand-rolled, pulled and stretched, using a rolling machine is not an option. After rolling, the dough covers a large kitchen table, where it is ready for the special mix of fillings- and at the Italian Bakery of Virginia, ours contains no preservatives.

It is then shaped and baked!

What Does It Taste Like?

Potica is a wonderfully nutty bread! The filling is made with ground walnuts (we also have a walnut-raisin variety!), butter, brown sugar, vanilla and all natural spices.  This sweet and nutty filling combined with the soft dough is sure to please everyone!

Here at the Italian Bakery of Virginia, our recipe has been passed down from generation to generation, and you can truly taste the love and care put into each loaf!

There are several ways to enjoy potica; buttered, topped with ice cream, straight out of the oven…the list goes on!

We truly believe that every person should experience the warm, comforting delight of authentic potica at least once in their life! And at the Italian Bakery of Virginia, we ship all of our goods to you! To order your very own potica, or to view our other products, visit us online or call us at 218-741-7218!

Ways to Enjoy Leftover Fruit Cake

Posted on by
Fruitcake on a wooden plate.

Often, fruit cake is thought of as a winter only treat! While it may be known for that due to popular culture, it is a treat that can be enjoyed all year long. It also can be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways! Below are three recipes that can be made with your leftover fruit cake!

Fruit Cake Bread Pudding

Cube up your fruit cake and place it in a casserole dish. In a separate bowl, whisk together: two eggs, a good splash of milk, a punch of sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Pour that mixture over your fruit cake and bake in a 350 degrees oven for 30 minutes (or until golden brown)!

This is best served warm, and for some added decadence, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream!

Fruit Cake French Toast

Need something fun for your next brunch? Look no further! Slice your fruit cake and allow it to dry out a bit for a few hours. Then, combine beaten eggs and milk with some cinnamon in a shallow dish.  Melt some butter in a pan over medium heat, and dip each slice (both sides!) of your fruit cake in the mixture, and place into your pan. Cook until golden brown and serve with your favorite French toast toppings!

Fruit Cake Pops

Cake pops are a perfect sweet treat, without the mess of a slice of cake! Crumble your fruit cake into a bowl, and mix an equal part of vanilla frosting in. For some extra flavor, you can add some cinnamon, or nutmeg! When well combined, scoop 1-inch balls with a spoon or ice cream scoop and roll until they are smooth. Put a cake pop stick (you can also use lollipop sticks, or skewers, but just be careful and or remove the skewers after). Melt chocolate wafers, we recommend vanilla, and dip your cake balls in. Place your cake pops to the side, and once the chocolate has set, enjoy!

Tip: we recommend poking holes in an old egg carton to hold your cake pops upright while the chocolate sets.

Whichever option you go with, it’s a great way to utilize any leftover fruit cake! Whichever recipe you try, a high-quality fruit cake is key. At the Italian Bakery of Virginia, we ship all of our goods to you! To order and view our products, visit us online or call us at 218-741-7218!

Fall is Upon Us: Celebrate with Italian Bakery of Virginia

Posted on by

Italian Bakery of Virginia Apple NestsThe leaves are starting to change and the temperatures are starting to drop which can only mean one thing: fall is upon us. Fall is one of the best seasons to enjoy homemade baked goods and Italian Bakery does not disappoint.

The Italian Bakery offers a variety of seasonal specialties through the autumn months all of which offer the familiar tastes of fall.

Here are a few of our favorites!

Pumpkin Doughnuts

A twist on the original sugared doughnut, this sweet snack goes well with a cup of coffee, or even better, with a group of friends. Bring a batch of them to your next fall picnic or seasonal party today!

Pumpkin Cake and Carrot Cake

These are two of our all-time favorite cakes: a pumpkin cake and carrot cake, finished with cream cheese. The cream cheese frosting gives the cake a sweet, delectable taste, that anyone can enjoy on these seasonal favorites.

Apple Nests

And what would fall be without the sweet taste of fresh, seasonal apples? Our apple nests are pastries that are layered with an irresistible cinnamon and apple swirl, perfect for any occasion.

Apple Strudel

Our apple strudel has a flaky dough that covers sugared apple slices in a combination that has been delighting customers for generations. At the Italian Bakery, we offer a “take and bake” version of this timeless classic, which allows you to take the strudel home frozen and bake it at your own convenience, filling your home with sweet scents of fall. It’s perfect for a last-minute dessert idea if you’re unexpectedly invited somewhere. Please keep in mind that these must be ordered in advance if you’re hoping to have an apple strudel on hand.

All Italian Bakery’s pastries are made by scratch with the freshest ingredients. Today, our customers keep coming back for a taste of our world-famous potica, our Italian fruit cake, our crisp, crunchy biscotti, and a variety of other delectable pastries including our fall favorites.