Poppy Seed Cake

Poppy Seed Bread – a traditional delicacy perfect for holidays or family gatherings. This simple yet impressive recipe will teach you how to prepare a fluffy and aromatic bread filled with a delicious caramelized poppy seed filling. It’s a quick dessert that will bring a touch of joy to every slice.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 60 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 10-12

Ingredients:
- 230 g sugar
- 600 g flour
- 80 g melted butter
- 100 g sour cream
- 3 eggs (2 yolks and 1 whole egg for brushing)
- a pinch of salt
- zest of 1 orange
- 25 g fresh yeast
- 1 splash of vanilla essence
- 1 tablespoon rum
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 150 g poppy seeds (for filling)
- 200 ml milk (for filling)

1. Preparing the poppy seed filling: In a saucepan, add the poppy seeds, milk, and 4 heaping tablespoons of sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and let the mixture boil. Cook until the milk evaporates almost completely, and the poppy seeds become soft and creamy. Finally, add the vanilla essence and rum, mixing well. Once the filling has cooled, it is ready to use.

2. Preparing the dough: In a small bowl, prepare the starter by combining 50 ml of warm milk, the yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar. Let the mixture ferment for 10-15 minutes until it becomes frothy. In a large bowl, sift the flour and add a pinch of salt. Make a well in the center and add the starter. Begin to knead gently.

3. Adding the ingredients: Next, add the yolks mixed with sugar, the orange zest, and mix. Gradually add the sour cream and melted butter, continuing to knead. Finally, incorporate the beaten egg whites and orange juice. Continue kneading the dough for 10-15 minutes. If the dough sticks to your hands, don’t hesitate to add a little more flour.

4. Fermenting the dough: Cover the bowl with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes until it doubles in size.

5. Shaping the bread: Once the dough has risen, divide it into two equal parts. Roll each piece of dough into a rectangular sheet. Moisten each sheet with half of the poppy seed filling, leaving a margin of about 2 cm. Roll each sheet tightly to form two logs. Braid the two logs to achieve a beautiful and decorative appearance.

6. Second fermentation: Place the bread in a baking tray lined with parchment paper and let it rise again for 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C.

7. Baking the bread: Brush the bread with a beaten egg, then sprinkle granulated sugar and poppy seeds on top. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 60 minutes. After about 15-20 minutes of baking, you can cover the bread with parchment paper to prevent the top from burning.

8. Serving: After the bread is baked, let it cool in the tray for a few minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack. Serve it warm, sliced, alongside a cup of tea or coffee.

Helpful tips:
- Use freshly ground poppy seeds for an intense flavor.
- You can also add nuts or raisins to the poppy seed filling for a more complex taste.
- This bread keeps well in food wrap and can be enjoyed for several days.

Poppy Seed Bread is more than just a dessert; it is a tradition that brings family and friends together. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 230g sugar, 600g flour, 80g melted butter, 100g sour cream, 3 eggs, a pinch of salt, grated zest of 1 orange, 25g yeast, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, 1 tablespoon rum, 1 tablespoon orange juice

 Tags:  poppy seed cake sweet bread easter recipes easter sweets