Poppy seed cake

Poppy Seed Cake - a traditional delicacy, enriched with the flavors of a refined dessert, combining the fluffy texture of the dough with a rich poppy seed filling. This recipe is not just a simple preparation of cake, but a true culinary experience that will transport you to the world of authentic flavors. Whether you serve it at a festive meal or as a treat on ordinary days, this poppy seed cake will surely win you over!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Rising time: 2 hours
Baking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients:

For the dough:
- 800 g flour (approximately)
- 12 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 250 g sugar
- 150 ml oil
- 350 ml milk
- 40 g fresh yeast
- 1 vial of rum
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest

For the filling:
- 250 g ground poppy seeds
- 200 ml milk
- 120 g sugar
- 1 vial of rum
- 1 teaspoon semolina

The history of the cake:

The cake has deep roots in culinary traditions, being associated with holidays and special moments in community life. Varied cake recipes reflect cultural diversity and the richness of local ingredients, with each family having its own preferred version. Essentially, the cake is a symbol of hospitality and goodness, always welcome at festive tables.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preparing the milk and yeast: Start by gently heating 350 ml of milk. It should be warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast. From this milk, take 50 ml and dissolve 40 g of fresh yeast. Add a teaspoon of sugar to activate the yeast.

2. Mixing the ingredients: In the remaining milk, add desired spices (for example, a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla) and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with the oil until homogeneous.

3. Forming the dough: Sift 800 g of flour into a large bowl. Add the spiced milk mixture, beaten egg yolks, and activated yeast. Also add 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix everything with a spatula, then knead the dough by hand for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth.

4. Rising the dough: Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.

5. Preparing the poppy seed filling: In a saucepan, combine 250 g of ground poppy seeds, 200 ml of milk, 120 g of sugar, a vial of rum, and 1 teaspoon of semolina. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then let it cool.

6. Forming the cake: After the dough has risen, divide it into two. On a lightly oiled surface, roll each piece of dough into a rectangle. Spread half of the poppy seed filling on each rectangle of dough.

7. Packing and shaping: Roll each piece of dough with filling into a log. Place them in greased cake pans, making sure not to overcrowd them.

8. Second rising: Cover the pans with a towel and let them rise again for 1 hour, until the dough doubles in volume again.

9. Baking: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake the cakes for 45 minutes or until golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

10. Cooling and serving: Once done, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 15 minutes. Then, take them out and let them cool completely on a rack.

Useful tips:

- Use room temperature ingredients to activate the yeast more effectively.
- Instead of poppy seeds, you can try various fillings, such as ground nuts or cocoa, to diversify the recipe.
- If you want an even more aromatic cake, you can add orange or lemon zest to the dough.
- Serving a warm cake alongside fragrant tea or fine coffee is a true indulgence.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast? Yes, you can, but the proportion is different. Use about 13 g of dry yeast.

2. How long does the cake last? If well wrapped, the cake can last up to a week at room temperature or can be frozen for longer storage.

3. Is this recipe vegan? No, but you can adapt the recipe using substitutes for eggs and milk, such as almond milk and a binding agent.

4. What other fillings can I try? You can experiment with chocolate, raisins, cherry jam, or sweet cheese to add a personal touch to your recipe.

Enjoy this delicious poppy seed cake recipe and share it with your loved ones! Each slice will bring warmth and joy to the hearts of those who savor it. Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: 800 g flour (approximately) 12 egg yolks 1 teaspoon salt 250 g sugar 150 ml oil 350 ml milk 40 g fresh yeast 1 vial rum 1 teaspoon lemon zest filling; 250 g ground poppy seeds 200 ml milk 120 g sugar 1 vial rum 1 teaspoon semolina

 Tags:  poppy seed cake