Pitka (Bulgarian Festive Round Bread)
A soft round loaf, enriched with milk and butter and finished with sesame seeds. Bulgarian pitka is baked for family celebrations.
- Time2 hr 30
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.30 a head
- Oven200°C (180°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 292kcal
- 48.1gcarbs
- 2.1gof which sugars
- 7.6gfat
- 3.9gsaturates
- 8.1gprotein
- 2gfibre
- 1.3gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Add the warm milk, water and melted butter and mix to a soft dough.
- 2
Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and leave to rise for 1 hour until doubled.
60 min - 3
Knock back the dough and shape into a tight round. Place on a lined baking tray.
- 4
With a floured thumb, press a pattern of dimples into the top. Cover loosely and leave to prove for 40 minutes.
40 min - 5
Heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Brush the loaf with beaten egg and sprinkle with the sesame and nigella seeds.
- 6
Bake for 30 minutes until deep golden and hollow sounding when tapped underneath.
30 min - 7
Cool on a rack for 20 minutes before breaking it into pieces.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
