There are no words to describe the fabulous flavor of this traditional Polish holiday bread we call Makowiec. The filling is a distinctive combination of ground poppy seeds, orange and lemon peel, and ground toasted almonds. I love this bread! I grew up with it! It’s perfect for afternoon tea or as a light dessert.
My recipe is pretty easy to make but you will need to grind the poppy seeds and I found an easy way to do that. I bought a spice & nut grinder (Cuisinart) and it grinds the poppy seeds and the almonds. Until I discovered the grinder, the only way to grind the seeds was to use an old fashioned meat grinder that you clamp to the counter and crank with your hand. I tried a food processor and a blender but neither one did the job. But it’s really easy with the spice grinder.
The bread is sweet and the filling is to die for! After baking, you can drizzle the loaf with a glaze or another option is to brush it before baking with either melted butter or with an eggwash and sprinkle with poppy seeds. My recipe requires only one rise and if your filling seeps out a little when it’s done, that happens a lot so don’t fret over it. It will still taste great. My how-to video for this awesome bread will be up next week. Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones
I’ve been searching for years for a topping of sweet cheese ( ? farmers cheese)
that was on holiday breads, with black russion caraway seed and maybe currants or raisins. I am 3rd generation Polish but family was mixed from Poland and Czechoslovakia. Back in the 40’s I don’t believe they used Riccota cheese.
Can you help?
PolishPrincessPatti
Where do you bu poppy seed (at regular grocery store)???
Where do you buy poppy seeds (at regular grocery stores)?
My poppyseed babka always splits. I follow the recipe but I use solo poppyseed filling. What am I doing wrong?
Mine does sometimes too so it’s not unusual. It could be from rolling the dough too thin or not sealing it well enough. It’s also possible that canned filling may have more moisture than one you make from scratch.
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for this recipe and especially the lesson on kneading.
On my mom’s Slovak side of the family as a little boy I remember this was a staple at my grandma’s house– she baked about 3 loaves a week and pulled them out for coffee or company.
My grandma’s version was not frosted, so it was more like a bread than a pastry– but there is nothing like the flavor of poppyseed. I like this recipe of yours; it’s a lot easier than the one I have been using. I also find that by kneading properly it’s less frequent that my loaves burst open while cooking. 🙂
Lastly– I like the Polish version with the icing– it makes it more special. Thanks again for sharing this.
DR
Would an electric coffee bean grinder work? I’ve used mine to grind flax seeds.
I have never used one but please report back if it works.
Hi Jenny,
I just discovered you again and I’m glad I did . I’m not polish descent however I remember eating this as a kid back in Mercersburg,Pa . ,(Love saying this name). It was delicious then and I will make the effort to use your recipe to make this .
Kudos to Jenny- Necessity is the mother of invention ! you keep doing it I’m impressed and happy for you .
Thanks for sharing your success !
Alonzo
I had the receipe long time ago & can” find it can u give it back 2 me I used a long time ago I used solo poppy seed a long time ago would u have the receipe 2 follow thanmk yoy. mary ann kerby
The only recipe I have is for my own homemade filling but maybe you could use my bread recipe with a store-bought (Solo) filling. Here is the link to my recipe: https://www.jennycancook.com/recipes/poppy-seed-roll-polish-makowiec/
Wow! That looks incredible Jenny!!! Me and Mike have a vacation day today and I am baking your christmas cookies!! Hopefully they will last till Christmas!!!! 🙂 I am making two batches and freezing them. I also made peanut butter blossoms and kiffles… I call it my “Jenny day”, cause I spent most of it in the kitchen! 😉 haha??
Take Care!
Sue
I love Makivnyk (Ukrainian poppy seed roll) and it was my job to grind the poppy seeds in an old fashioned coffee grinder. You put the seeds in the top hopper, turn the crank on the top and the grounds dropped into a drawer at the bottom. I still have it use it for Kutia too.
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