How long can I store leftovers?

Store the roll in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, the dough can be refrigerated overnight after the first rise, and then proceed as usual.

What if I don’t have a spice grinder for poppy seeds?

You can use pre-ground poppy seeds, found in many specialty stores.

Can I substitute the nuts?

Yes, you can use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts.

Is this recipe suitable for freezing?

Yes, freeze the baked roll wrapped tightly in plastic and foil; thaw at room temperature before icing.

Nutty Polish Poppy Seed Roll with Lemon Icing

Name: Nutty Polish Poppy Seed Roll with Lemon Icing
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: All-purpose flour; Sugar; Active dry yeast; Salt; Warm milk; Unsalted butter, melted; Egg; Poppy seeds; Sugar; Walnuts, finely chopped; Raisins; Milk; Vanilla extract; Powdered sugar; Lemon juice; Milk; Egg yolk; Milk

Makowiec with a Nutty Twist

A delightful Eastern European pastry, this roll combines rich poppy seed filling with crunchy nuts, enveloped in a soft sweet dough, all adorned with a tangy lemon icing.

3 h
12
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Dough

All-purpose flour

3 cups

Sugar

1/3 cup

Active dry yeast

1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons)

Salt

1/4 teaspoon

Warm milk

3/4 cup (110°F/43°C)

Unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup

Egg

1, room temperature

For the Poppy Seed Filling

Poppy seeds

1 cup

Sugar

1/2 cup

Walnuts, finely chopped

1/2 cup

Raisins

1/4 cup

Milk

1/4 cup

Vanilla extract

1 teaspoon

For the Lemon Icing

Powdered sugar

1 cup

Lemon juice

1 tablespoon

Milk

1–2 tablespoons

For the Egg Wash

Egg yolk

Milk

1 tablespoon

Preparation

Preparing the Dough

Mix dry ingredients

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.

Combine wet ingredients

Add warm milk, melted butter, and the egg; mix until combined.

Knead and rise

Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.

Preparing the Poppy Seed Filling

Grind poppy seeds

Ground the poppy seeds in a spice grinder until fine.

Cook filling

In a saucepan, combine poppy seeds, sugar, walnuts, raisins, and milk; cook over low heat until thickened.

Add vanilla and cool

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let cool.

Important: Make sure the filling cools completely before spreading it onto the dough. Pro Tip: Adding lemon zest to the filling enhances the nutty flavors.

Cooking Process

Roll & Fill

Roll out the dough into a rectangle, spread the filling, and roll up tightly.

Bake

Place roll seam side down on a baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.

Ice

Mix powdered sugar, lemon juice, and milk; drizzle over cooled roll.

Plating & Serving