Bird Bread Rolls | Ptički iz kruha (Slovenian Recipe)

These adorable Bird Bread Rolls (Ptički) make a sweet accompaniment to homemade soup, an Easter blessing basket or your Easter table!

INGREDIENTS
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 
• 1 tso salt
• 1/2 cup warm milk + 3/4 cup water
• 1 pkg active dry yeast 
• 2 Tbsp's granulated sugar
• ¼ cup oil
• 1 egg (to brush on dough)
• Few black raisins or chocolate chips for eyes
• A toothpick.

1. In a large bowl, sift flour. Make a well and sprinkle the salt around the sides not allowing the salt to enter into the well. Set aside.
2. In a small cup activate the yeast by adding warm water, 1 Tbsp sugar, stir and let sit for 10 minutes until it starts to bubble. 
3. Add yeast to the bowl of flour, next add the warm milk, oil 1 Tbsp sugar and mix until a rough dough forms. Add more water only if the dough feels very dry. Or add flour if the dough is too sticky sprinkling in only about 1 Tbsp at a time. 
4. Transfer to a greased bowl. Turn around once to coat evenly with oil. Cover and keep in a warm place to rise for 1 hour or until almost double in size. I like to place mine in the oven with the light on. * make sure oven is turned off. 
5. Punch and knead for 1-2 minutes. Let dough rest for 5 minutes. Divide the dough into 10 small pieces about 70g each. Roll out one ball at a time into a rope about 8 inches in length.

6. Heat the oven to 350 F (180 C)  Turn the dough onto a floured counter and divide it into 10 pieces. From each piece of dough, make a roll about 8 inches long, which you knot by forming a loop and pulling one end of the dough through it. On the upper part which will be the birds head. Flatten the lower end of the dough, which will be the bird's tail, and use a fork to stamp a pattern into it. Place the birds on a baking sheet lined with baking paper.
7. Cover and keep in a warm place to rise for the last 30 minutes.
8. Beat an egg to make an egg wash. Brush the birds with this egg wash. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the rolls turn a beautiful golden colour. When they are baked, transfer them to a cooling rack. **optional: with a toothpick, make holes for the eyes. Press a clove, chocolate chip or black raisin's into the hole. Enjoy!

I want to see your delicious photos!

I hope this Slovenian Bird Bread Roll recipe becomes a new tradition for you and your family. If you make something from my blog and post it on social media, please tag #sloveniankitchen or @slovenska_kuhinja so I can see it on Facebook and Instagram too! 

Lots of love, 

Michelle Pušič Ryall XO