Makowiec – Polish Poppy Seed Roll Recipe

Introduction
Makowiec is a traditional Polish dessert that is often enjoyed during the holidays and special occasions. This sweet, yeast-based pastry is filled with a rich and fragrant poppy seed filling, offering a delightful combination of soft dough and aromatic seeds. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or simply looking to try something new, Makowiec is sure to impress your family and friends with its unique flavors and texture.

Ingredients:
For the dough:

500g all-purpose flour
7g active dry yeast
200ml warm milk
2 tablespoons sugar
100g butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the poppy seed filling:

250g ground poppy seeds
150g sugar
200ml milk
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
50g butter
100g raisins or chopped dried fruits (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
For glazing (optional):

1 egg, beaten
Directions:
Prepare the dough:
In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm milk and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for 10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and butter. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and vanilla extract. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Make the filling:
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, butter, honey, and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the ground poppy seeds and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract, raisins (if using), and lemon zest. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.