Makowiec is a classic Polish sweet bread rolled around a fragrant poppy seed filling with honey, raisins, walnuts, and citrus.
Make a soft enriched dough, spread the filling evenly, and roll it firmly enough to create a defined spiral without squeezing the filling out.
Cool the roll completely before slicing. The filling firms as it cools and the spiral cuts far more cleanly.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with coffee or tea during the holidays, dusted with sugar or finished with a thin lemon glaze.
Recipe Notes
Wrap the cooled roll airtight for up to four days. Slices freeze well and can be thawed at room temperature.
Polish Makowiec (Poppy Seed Roll)
A tender Polish sweet bread rolled around poppy seeds, honey, raisins, walnuts, and orange zest.
Equipment
- Stand mixer or mixing bowl
- Rolling Pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole milk warm
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
Poppy Seed Filling
- 8 oz ground poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 tbsp walnuts chopped
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Make Dough and Filling:
- Mix the flour, warm milk, sugar, yeast, melted butter, eggs, and salt into a soft dough. Knead until smooth, cover, and let rise until doubled.
- Combine the poppy seeds, sugar, honey, raisins, walnuts, orange zest, and vanilla.
Roll and Bake:
- Roll the dough into a rectangle. Spread the filling evenly, leaving a small border, then roll it into a log and place seam-side down on parchment.
- Cover and let rise briefly. Heat the oven to 350 F and bake until golden and cooked through, about 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool and Serve:
- Cool completely before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with lemon glaze if desired.
Notes
- Poppy seed filling should be thick enough to spread without running.
- Ground walnuts or candied orange peel make welcome additions to the filling.
Nutrition
Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 8gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 190mgFiber: 4gSugar: 25g