Poppy seed roll

The poppy seed roll is a cherished pastry in Central and Eastern Europe, frequently gracing tables during Christmas and Easter celebrations. This delightful treat features a sweet yeast bread filled with either poppy seeds or minced walnuts, offering a rich and flavorful experience.

The dough is crafted from a mix of flour, sugar, egg yolk, milk or sour cream, butter, and yeast. To enhance the flavor, ingredients like lemon zest or rum can be added. The poppy seed filling is a tantalizing blend of ground poppy seeds, raisins, butter, sugar or honey, rum, and vanilla. If you prefer walnuts, that filling typically includes raisins, rum, butter or milk, lemon zest, chopped walnuts, and spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg.

To make the poppy seed roll, start by rolling out the dough, spreading the filling evenly, and then rolling it into a log shape. It's baked until it turns a beautiful golden brown. There are many variations, with some fillings featuring coffee or additional lemon zest for an extra twist. In Hungarian cuisine, it's common to serve both poppy seed and walnut-filled rolls together, known as "mákos és diós." You might even come across a version filled with chestnuts.

This pastry goes by different names in various cultures, such as "makowiec" in Polish and "makovník" in Slovak. No matter what you call it, the poppy seed roll is a beloved treat during festive occasions, bringing joy and deliciousness to the table.