An Eastern European dessert table would invariably include something sweet made with poppyseeds, either ground or whole. This poppyseed roll or strudel is made with a yeast dough and is known as makowiec (mah-KOH-vyets) in Polish. Canned poppyseed paste, available in the ethnic aisle of most supermarkets, can be used, but directions are also given if you choose to make your own filling.
Makes 2 Polish Poppyseed Rolls
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 3 hours
Ingredients:
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 2 cups warm milk
- 8 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 eggs
- 4 ounces (1 stick) butter, melted
- 2 (11-ounce) cans poppyseed filling (or make your own, see below)
- ------------------------------------------
- Filling Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground poppyseeds
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 ounces softened butter (1 1/2 sticks)
- 1 cup hot milk
- 1 lemon rind, grated
Preparation:
- If making your own filling, grind the poppyseeds in a poppyseed grinder, then combine all filling ingredients. Beat well and set aside.
- In a small heatproof bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of the warm milk.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt and eggs. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups warm milk, butter and yeast mixture. With the paddle attachment, or by hand, beat until smooth. Dough will be sticky at this point.
- Scrape dough into a clean, greased bowl. Sprinkle the top with a little flour and cover. Let stand in a warm place for 1 hour or until double in size, or follow this Quick Tip to cut the rise time.
- Punch down dough and turn out onto a floured surface. Divide dough in half and shape each half into a rectangle.
- Spread 1 can or half of the filling you made on each rectangle of dough and roll up like a jelly roll. Turn ends under so filling will not leak out.
- Place on a parchment-lined or greased pan, cover and let rise again until double in size.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brush tops of rolls with additional melted butter. Bake 45 to 60 minutes or until rolls are golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool. Dust rolls with confectioner's sugar, if desired.
