Dessert · Eastern European · Snack ·

Nutty Polish Poppy Seed Roll with Lemon Icing

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.

4.9(640 reviews)
·By Ethan Brooks·
Nutty Polish Poppy Seed Roll with Lemon Icing — Dessert served and photographed from above
Prep
1 h
Cook
3 h
Difficulty
Intermediate
Serves
12

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Dough

  1. 1

    Mix dry ingredients

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

  2. 2

    Combine wet ingredients

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

  3. 3

    Knead and rise

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

Preparing the Poppy Seed Filling

  1. 1

    Grind poppy seeds

    Ground the poppy seeds in a spice grinder until fine.

  2. 2

    Cook filling

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

  3. 3

    Add vanilla and cool

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

    Tip: 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.

How to Make Nutty Polish Poppy Seed Roll with Lemon Icing

Total time: 4 h · Yields 12 servings

  1. 1

    Roll & Fill

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

  2. 2

    Bake

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

  3. 3

    Ice

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

Chef's Tips

    Frequently asked questions

    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.

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