When you want something that’s simple but feels like a special treat, Puzic od Jabuka is exactly what you need. It’s a cozy dessert that combines soft, fluffy dough with a sweet, cinnamon apple filling. I got this recipe from a group of Bosnian housewives who know how to turn a few basic ingredients into something magical, and now I’m sharing it with you!
Ingredients for the Dough
- 500g of flour
- 250ml of warm milk (not too hot, just lukewarm)
- 80ml of oil
- 1 packet of yeast (best to activate it first in a bit of flour and milk)
- 1 egg
- 50g of sugar
- Zest of one orange
Ingredients for the Filling
- 100-120g of butter (depending on how rich you want it)
- 3 apples (you can grate them directly on the dough or grate them into a bowl and squeeze out some juice if they’re too watery)
- A little cinnamon (to taste)
- Brown sugar (again, as much as you like for sweetness)
Instructions for the Dough
Start by mixing the warm milk with the yeast and a little flour to activate it. You should see it start to bubble and get foamy in about 10 minutes—that’s when you know it’s ready. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and orange zest. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and oil. Start kneading the dough gently, adding flour if it feels too soft or sticky (but don’t add too much flour—just enough so it doesn’t stick to your hands). The dough should be soft but not too firm. Leave it to rise for about 40 minutes until it’s nice and puffy.
Instructions for the Filling
While the dough is rising, you can prepare the apple filling. Peel and grate the apples (if they’re super juicy, you might want to drain them a little bit). Melt the butter in a pan and add the grated apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Let the apples cook down for a few minutes, just until they soften and start to smell amazing. You don’t need to cook them for too long—just long enough to get everything combined and a little caramelized.
Assembling the Puzic
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface. Roll it out to about 1 cm thick. Spread a layer of the melted butter over the dough, then evenly spread the apple filling on top. Sprinkle with a little more brown sugar and cinnamon for extra flavor. Carefully roll up the dough like you would a strudel. Once it’s all rolled up, cut it into pieces about the width of three fingers.
Place the pieces in a baking dish lined with parchment paper, making sure the cut side is facing up. Leave a bit of space between each piece because they’ll rise quite a bit as they bake. Brush the tops with a little more butter to make them golden and shiny.
Baking the Puzic
Preheat your oven to 180-200°C (depending on your oven) and bake the rolls for about 30 minutes. You’ll want them to be golden and cooked through. The time might vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
Making the Topping
While the rolls are baking, you can prepare the sweet cream topping. Mix 3-4 tablespoons of sugar (adjust to how sweet you want it) into some sour cream. You can use powdered sugar if you like a smoother topping, or regular sugar for a little more texture. Once the rolls are done baking, take them out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before pouring the sweet sour cream topping over them. It adds that perfect creamy, tangy contrast to the sweetness of the apples.
Enjoying the Puzic
Serve these Puzic od Jabuka while they’re still warm with that delicious sour cream topping. They’re perfect for dessert, or honestly, any time you want something sweet with your coffee or tea. The dough is soft, the apples are perfectly spiced, and the creamy topping makes it all come together in the best possible way.
And trust me, the smell of these baking will fill your home with that comforting, nostalgic feeling. It’s one of those recipes that just makes everything feel right in the world. So go ahead, try this out and enjoy every bite.
