All About Potica!

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!

History of Potica Bread

History of Potica BreadPotica is a traditional Slovenian cake, typically served on special occasions and holidays.

Potica has been pleasing people and taste buds for centuries, serving as a main dessert dish in many celebrations.

The dough for potica takes quite some time to prepare but after it has risen, it is typically filled with either sweet or savory fillings. Common fillings include walnut, tarragon, honey and even bacon. It is created by flattening the dough, adding the ingredients, and then wrapping the dough and shaping it into a loaf. The process gives potica delicious layers that resemble a marbled cake.

Here at Italian Bakery of Virginia, our traditional potica bread is the heart of our bakery. Back in 1965, we received a traditional Slovenian family recipe for potica, and it has since become one of our most requested and best-selling cakes. We’ve added in some spices over the years to create a truly unique blended delicacy that our customers keep coming back for.

We begin the process of making potica with all-natural and fresh ingredients. Baking potica each day is a time-consuming project, as it requires the careful hands of a proficient baker. The dough is carefully hand-rolled, pulled and stretched to create a traditional potica consistency. We then add in crunchy walnuts, creamy butter, brown sugar, vanilla and a variety of other spices. The potica is then baked and sliced for serving.

Our most popular flavors are walnut and walnut-raisin. Both of these flavors honor the classic recipe of this bread, with a touch of sweetness. When potica first originated in Slovenia, the ingredients often told the story of the family baking it. Only wealthy families could afford expensive fillings such as nuts and cream and poorer families could typically only afford to include herbs from their garden.

To honor your Slovenian heritage, or to start a new tradition in your family, celebrate life’s milestones, holidays, and good fortune with fresh potica.

At the Italian Bakery of Virginia, we’ve ensured that the time-honored art of making potica has not been lost. Visit our website here.