Croatian Savoury Baking Cookbook Giveaway

Enter our worldwide giveaway to win a copy of Croatian Savoury Baking: 50 Traditional Recipes for Bread, Burek, Pies and Pastries by Andrea Pisac.

Croatian Savoury Baking: 50 Traditional Recipes for Bread, Burek, Pies and Pastries by Andrea Pisac, the author of Croatian Desserts: 50 Authentic Recipes to Make at Home, (see review of latter title) and Croatian Classics: 100 Savoury Dishes to Delight Your Family, is another spectacular collection of recipes from the talented blogger. For a look inside this uniquely beautiful cookbook see the ordering page on the author’s site. (You may also use our BUY BOOK button which goes directly to the specific page for each of her titles. Currently, she is offering 10 percent off your first order and has cookbook bundles available at discounted prices.

Andrea has received many awards for promoting Croatia and its cultural heritage worldwide. On her original website, she has written many articles on culture, travel and more.

Being a self-proclaimed perfectionist means the recipes in her books are well tested and approachable. Recipes in this latest title include: Phyllo pastry from scratch, Pie bread with walnuts (a cross between a savoury pie and shortbread), Crispy fritters from Sinj, Thin bagels with sesame seeds, and Love bird buns.

Andrea was kind enough to share a recipe with our Members today:

Potato puffs
Pogačice s krumpirom
paw·guh·tchee·tseh s kroom peer·awm

The Story:

If you love zero-waste recipes, potato puffs should be on your list of favourite snacks. Whenever you have leftover mashed potatoes, add it to the pogačice dough to make it soft and airy. Once your family falls for them, you’ll be boiling a fresh batch of potatoes to use in the recipe. You might think that this starchy vegetable has no place in the company of carb-loaded flour. But it actually gives the puffs a punchy bounce. As the dough gets lighter, the flavour becomes fuller and more robust. This is because the potato and black pepper are a match made in heaven. So, keep turning your pepper grinder way over your comfort zone. Most of its kick will get lost in the baking, leaving you with a snack that is just right for a grown-up palate.

Two or three bites in, and your tongue will begin to dance. This mild peppery sting should be neutralised with a refreshing alcoholic beverage. A cold bubbly spritzer is the answer.

Prep: 40 mins * Rest: 1 hr * Bake: 25 mins * Total: 2 hrs * Yields: 12 puffs * Serves: 6

Tools: Potato masher, flour sifter, cling film (plastic wrap), rolling pin, round cookie cutter (7 cm [2.7 in] wide), baking (parchment) paper, baking tray, pastry brush.

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 250 g (1 ½ cups) boiled and mashed potato
  • 12 g (2 tsp) salt, divided
  • 230 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
  • 12 g (¾ tbsp) baking powder
  • 2 g (½ tsp) black pepper
  • 100 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 egg, whisked

For the topping:

  • 1 egg yolk, whisked
  • 10 g (2 tsp) coarse salt

Method:

Peel, wash and cube the potatoes. Cover them with cold water, add 1 tsp of salt and boil them until they are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.

Drain the potatoes and mash them. Let them cool to room temperature.

Sift the flour into a bowl. Add the baking powder, the remaining tsp of salt, and black pepper. Whisk to blend evenly.

Rub the cubed butter into the flour mixture until it becomes crumbly. Add mashed potatoes and the whisked egg.

Knead the dough for a minute or two until it becomes a smooth ball. Wrap it in cling film and place it in the fridge for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 200 °C (400 °F).

Flour the work surface and roll out the dough to 1.5 cm (0.5 in) thickness. Dip the cookie cutter into flour and cut out the puffs.

Gather the dough scraps, knead them into a ball and roll it out again. Cut out the puffs. Don’t knead the leftover dough again because it will turn tough; shape it by hand in any form.

Place all of the puffs on a baking tray lined with baking paper. You don’t need to leave much space between them. They get higher but not wider.

Brush each puff with egg yolk wash and sprinkle with a little coarse salt.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the puffs turn golden brown. Cool to room temperature and eat on the same day.

Chefs tip: You can make these potato puffs from leftover mashed potatoes. If they are quite creamy, you’ll need to use extra flour to reach the point when the dough doesn’t stick to your fingers.

Special thanks to the author for offering a copy of this title in our promotion open worldwide. Entry options include answering the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe on Andrea’s website would you like to make?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on February 12th, 2024.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Post a comment

163 Comments

  • rchesser  on  December 8, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • lean1  on  December 8, 2023

    Sweet Pinca bread

  • Kristjudy  on  December 8, 2023

    Croatian supita

  • Jillyb3  on  December 8, 2023

    There are so many things I’m curious about! Mlinci looks like flatbread but it’s pasta! I really need to try that!

  • ravensfan  on  December 8, 2023

    BOBIĆI

  • susankay  on  December 8, 2023

    Cherry strudel

  • DJBWA  on  December 8, 2023

    I was just in Croatia. I loved the cheese bureks! It would be great to make a version of it.

  • sayeater  on  December 8, 2023

    Cheese puffs for our holiday snack spread!

  • woodmally  on  December 8, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • matag  on  December 8, 2023

    Palacinke….my grandmother used to make it!

  • Janefox  on  December 8, 2023

    Most definitely Croatian Supita!

  • Plumbobmummy  on  December 8, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • ccav  on  December 8, 2023

    Francuska salata

  • demomcook  on  December 8, 2023

    PINCA – CROATIAN EASTER BREAD looks very good!

  • dataentrytard  on  December 8, 2023

    I would like to try the Cupavci lamingtons first.

  • IngridO  on  December 8, 2023

    Most definitely Croatian Supita

  • tcjanes  on  December 8, 2023

    Croatian stuffed sauerkraut

  • kgmom  on  December 8, 2023

    Burek! Loved it when we visited Croatia recently.

  • rmpostonmfandt  on  December 9, 2023

    I’ve been eyeing this book and am intrigued by the pie bread with walnuts recipe. I cannot imagine a cross between a savory pie and a shortbread and I’d love to make this!

  • NaomiH  on  December 9, 2023

    Orehnjača or povitica – Croatian walnut roll

  • Emmormous  on  December 9, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • jifar  on  December 9, 2023

    The Croatian potato salad.

  • rkosully  on  December 9, 2023

    I would like to make the Croatian oblatne (“finger-licking good chocolate wafer cake”).

  • maci234  on  December 9, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • sarahawker  on  December 9, 2023

    Potica! My niece made it last year for Christmas and it was such a delight!

  • ktrum7  on  December 9, 2023

    Bajadera chocolate

  • youngsvnnhrs  on  December 9, 2023

    Croatian Easter Lamb

  • ljsimmons  on  December 9, 2023

    poderane gaće!

  • DarcyVaughn  on  December 9, 2023

    Baked Sardines

  • leilx  on  December 10, 2023

    Madjarica

  • virjeania  on  December 10, 2023

    Kraš Bajadera

  • bopper  on  December 10, 2023

    Cupavci

  • JenThomas318  on  December 10, 2023

    Bobici

  • debkauz  on  December 10, 2023

    I would like to try so many of them. I am a second generation Croatian and know very little about the food. I’d LOVE to try it all!

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  December 10, 2023

    Croatian oblatne

  • trudys_person  on  December 10, 2023

    Kraš Bajadera – Croatian chocolate!

  • skichick  on  December 11, 2023

    Croatian supita

  • TSQ  on  December 11, 2023

    Potato puffs

  • mph993  on  December 11, 2023

    Croatian cherry strudel

  • GreenhouseCheryl  on  December 11, 2023

    Croatian cheese puffs

  • v.t  on  December 11, 2023

    Croatian supita

  • skvalentine  on  December 11, 2023

    I’m very curious about the “watered wine” — I’m going to try that out!

  • GrooveHeart  on  December 12, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • Babycarrot  on  December 12, 2023

    Cherry strudel

  • Bake4one  on  December 12, 2023

    Medjimurje layered cake

  • CompsAlex  on  December 12, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • ammerlino  on  December 12, 2023

    I would like to make the fritters

  • MarciK  on  December 13, 2023

    Francuska salata

  • renharvey  on  December 13, 2023

    Oblatne – Croatian wafer cake

  • acecil  on  December 14, 2023

    soparnik

  • jluvs2bake  on  December 14, 2023

    Ledeni vjetar – Icy Wind cake. Our Croatian friends made us this once when we stayed with them, and I would love to try this recipe!

  • Lora724  on  December 14, 2023

    Croatian Potato Salad

  • oduong930  on  December 15, 2023

    cherry strudel

  • orchidlady01  on  December 16, 2023

    Croatian cherry strudel

  • hrk  on  December 16, 2023

    pogacha bread

  • Isis1981uk  on  December 17, 2023

    Potica

  • sgardner  on  December 17, 2023

    Potato puffs, supita, and krostule are on my list

  • Charlieemma  on  December 17, 2023

    Croatian peka

  • Sand9  on  December 18, 2023

    Custard Cream Cake x

  • janv  on  December 18, 2023

    love cherry strudels

  • JenjiD  on  December 20, 2023

    sweet pinca bread

  • maggz19671  on  December 22, 2023

    Cherry studel for me

  • ChicagoJen  on  December 22, 2023

    Krostule look amazing

  • Roosta  on  December 22, 2023

    Cupavci – Croatian lamingtons

  • Maryd8822  on  December 22, 2023

    Croatian palacinke

  • ozfoodie  on  December 22, 2023

    Croatian potato salad. Looks delightful!

  • tucsonsandy  on  December 22, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • cljones  on  December 22, 2023

    Soparnik or Croatian kale pie looks good to me

  • kayswo  on  December 22, 2023

    Supita

  • luccio  on  December 22, 2023

    The Potato Puffs look a good place to start : )

  • roxlet  on  December 23, 2023

    Burek

  • LaurenE  on  December 23, 2023

    Sweet Pinca bread

  • dzm  on  December 23, 2023

    Croatian supita

  • Veestar14  on  December 23, 2023

    CROATIAN KROSTULE, reminds me of my mom’s Khrustyky (Ukrainian version).

  • Ren23  on  December 23, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • foodie16  on  December 23, 2023

    Krafne

  • silversand  on  December 24, 2023

    How to make simple tomato soup with fresh tomatoes Croatian style

  • Dannausc  on  December 24, 2023

    Torn underpants

  • lilmiztam22  on  December 24, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • tucsonsandy  on  December 24, 2023

    Sweet Pinca bread

  • cmeiling  on  December 26, 2023

    krostules look great!

  • Myzadim3andGLA  on  December 26, 2023

    Sweet Pinca bread

  • ceejayen  on  December 26, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • Laura1  on  December 27, 2023

    Bajadera chocolate

  • agreaves19  on  December 28, 2023

    Cherry strudel

  • michelle666  on  December 28, 2023

    Cherry strudel

  • Dendav  on  December 28, 2023

    Cherry strudel

  • teamporse  on  December 28, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • Shelley.b  on  December 28, 2023

    christmas vanilla biscuit

  • coryphaeus  on  December 28, 2023

    Cupavci – Croatian lamingtons

  • angiem32  on  December 28, 2023

    I’d love to bake the Croatian Cherry Strudel!

  • prettypistol  on  December 29, 2023

    Cherry strudel

  • Lemonlux  on  December 29, 2023

    Croatian Supita

  • thebrassbee  on  December 29, 2023

    Orehnjača or povitica – Croatian walnut roll

  • Leonard5854  on  December 30, 2023

    cupavci

  • kwansicle  on  December 30, 2023

    Bajadera

  • clairew137  on  December 31, 2023

    Sweet Pinca bread

  • JACQUELINEM  on  January 1, 2024

    Icy Wind Cake looks brilliant to make.

  • antpantsii  on  January 1, 2024

    Potato puffs

  • betsyradelow  on  January 1, 2024

    bobići

  • elisabeta  on  January 3, 2024

    Croatian Supita

  • pmmmmm  on  January 3, 2024

    I would love to try Cherry strudel

  • GoldenGoose6  on  January 3, 2024

    Sweet Pinca Bread sounds lovely

  • cambridgecook  on  January 5, 2024

    Potato salad – to go with grilled squid

  • cambridgecook  on  January 5, 2024

    Potato salad – to go with grilled squid

  • Antonias.Kitchen  on  January 5, 2024

    The cheese puffs and the braided bread

  • JCBaldassare  on  January 5, 2024

    I love Burek! And those potato puffs look so good.

  • meowpossum  on  January 5, 2024

    The supita looks like a delicious relative of the Dutch baby

  • tucsonsandy  on  January 5, 2024

    Croatian palacinke

  • Amysalem56  on  January 5, 2024

    The link to her. website doesn’t work.

  • wattsmm  on  January 6, 2024

    Potato Puffs

  • GregH  on  January 6, 2024

    Supita

  • Spud13  on  January 7, 2024

    It’s just got to be PODERANE GACE.

  • sarahteertzah  on  January 7, 2024

    simple tomato soup with fresh tomatoes Croatian style

  • maria411  on  January 7, 2024

    croation supita

  • StickInsect  on  January 9, 2024

    Supita

  • angiejackson  on  January 9, 2024

    cheese puffs

  • BizzyBek  on  January 9, 2024

    cherry strudel

  • emi10383  on  January 9, 2024

    Croatian Supita

  • LSanders  on  January 10, 2024

    čupavci

  • nvernon  on  January 12, 2024

    Supita (looks kind of like clafoutis, which I love)

  • nocona  on  January 13, 2024

    Croatian Supita

  • paulbing  on  January 13, 2024

    Sweet Pinca bread

  • leilx  on  January 13, 2024

    Madjarica sounds yummy

  • joke7  on  January 14, 2024

    Croatian supita

  • Lesevans6  on  January 15, 2024

    Cherry Strudel

  • denise21  on  January 15, 2024

    Cupavci

  • greentoad  on  January 15, 2024

    Croatian Supita

  • sheridarby  on  January 15, 2024

    Cherry strudel

  • PadBrat1  on  January 15, 2024

    Love Croatia and its food 🇭🇷

  • RSW  on  January 15, 2024

    Croatian palacinke
    Would love to get this her first book was wonderful.

  • reader1trees  on  January 15, 2024

    Sirnica – burek with cottage cheese for me.

  • LeahT50  on  January 16, 2024

    Croatian Supita

  • zeeenie  on  January 16, 2024

    Cherry strudel

  • Hekna  on  January 16, 2024

    The cheese puffs sound like a great snack but would also be great for nibbles when you have guests over

  • krnries  on  January 16, 2024

    The Kroštule look fabulous 🙂

  • SHORTMAN  on  January 16, 2024

    Cherry Strudel

  • nats7  on  January 16, 2024

    Croatian Supita

  • JohnWalker  on  January 16, 2024

    Croatian cherry strudel

  • ClaireHamilton  on  January 16, 2024

    Francuska salata

  • Twiddle  on  January 16, 2024

    Cheese bureks

  • DimensionAEB  on  January 17, 2024

    Bajadera chocolate

  • zengal  on  January 17, 2024

    Cupavci!

  • debbiehb  on  January 17, 2024

    Croatian Easter Bread

  • EmmaField  on  January 17, 2024

    Would love to make ajvar (kruh i ajvar) 😋

  • Pizzacat13  on  January 18, 2024

    I’d try Croatian pogacha bread

  • txbktxbk  on  January 18, 2024

    Fritule – mini boozey doughnuts

  • elysedc  on  January 20, 2024

    Cupavci!

  • Karla123  on  January 21, 2024

    Croation Bread Pogacha

  • NatalyaM  on  January 24, 2024

    The Potato Puffs (Pogačice s krumpirom) look amazingly delicious.

  • kbiggs  on  January 24, 2024

    Pinca! Can’t wait!

  • Debsquinn  on  January 27, 2024

    I’ll definitely be making the Pinca bread.

  • CourtneyT  on  January 28, 2024

    Croatian stuffed sauerkraut

  • paulo_b  on  January 29, 2024

    Pie bread with walnuts

  • weganmalsh  on  January 29, 2024

    cherry strudel!

  • Terrill  on  January 29, 2024

    Pinca bread. had it once and can’t wait to try it.

  • elschneider  on  January 29, 2024

    croatian sausage

  • PatBarrett  on  January 30, 2024

    Croatian supita

  • elsid22  on  February 6, 2024

    Bobici

  • t.t  on  February 7, 2024

    Croatian Supita

  • amylou61  on  February 11, 2024

    I’d like to make Orehnjača or povitica – Croatian walnut roll

  • munki  on  February 11, 2024

    walnut roll!

  • RozDB  on  February 11, 2024

    The Potato Puffs look divine and I look forward to exploring all the recipes and stories behind them.

Seen anything interesting? Let us know & we'll share it!