8 Steps To Master The Art Of Making A Perfect Poppy Seed Roll At Home

A soft dough is prepared and filled with a sweet, rich poppy seed mixture. After rising, the dough is rolled, glazed, and baked to golden perfection. The result is a delicious, nutty roll ideal for any occasion.

The poppy seed roll recipe begins with preparing a soft, elastic dough using flour, yeast, milk, eggs, and butter. After letting the dough rise, a rich filling is made by cooking poppy seeds with sugar, milk, butter, and flavorings like vanilla and lemon zest. The dough is rolled out, filled, and shaped into a log before a second rise. Brushed with an egg yolk glaze, the roll is baked until golden brown and then cooled on a wire rack. This sweet, nutty treat is perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
•  2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
•  ¼ cup granulated sugar
•  1 cup warm milk
•  ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
•  ½ tsp salt

For the Poppy Seed Filling:

• 1 cup poppy seeds
• ½ cup granulated sugar
•  1 cup milk
•  1 tsp vanilla extract
•  ¼ cup honey
•  1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
•  2 tbsp unsalted butter

    For the Glaze:

•  1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 tbsp water

 Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

• In a small bowl, mix the yeast with warm milk and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is activated.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Create a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs.
• Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour as needed.

2. Let the Dough Rise:

•  Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

3. Prepare the Poppy Seed Filling:

•  While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a medium saucepan, combine the poppy seeds, sugar, milk, and butter.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and the poppy seeds absorb the milk (about 10 minutes).
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, honey, and lemon zest. Let the filling cool completely.

4. Assemble the Roll:

• Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll the dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick.
• Spread the poppy seed filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Starting from the longer side, roll the dough tightly into a log.

5. Shape and Prepare for Baking:

• Pinch the edges of the roll to seal the filling inside. Place the roll seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Cover the roll with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.

6. Preheat the Oven:

• While the roll is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

7. Glaze and Bake:

• Brush the roll with the egg yolk glaze, ensuring an even coat. This will give the roll a beautiful golden-brown color.
• Bake the poppy seed roll in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

8. Cool and Serve:

•  Remove the roll from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice and serve. The roll can be enjoyed on its own or with a dusting of powdered sugar.

This recipe yields a delicious and rich poppy seed roll, perfect for serving at breakfast, as a dessert, or with a cup of tea or coffee.