Makovník (Slovak Poppy Seed Roll)
In short: A sweet yeast roll swirled with a rich filling of ground poppy seeds, milk, raisins and lemon, glazed and baked until golden. It takes about 1 h 30 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 50 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 1 h 30 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 435 kcal
Makovník is a poppy seed roll, a sweet that Slovak families bake for Christmas and Easter, though it is welcome on any weekend. A soft yeast dough is rolled around a thick filling of ground poppy seeds cooked with milk, sugar, raisins and lemon zest. Slices show a dark spiral against the pale crumb, and the roll keeps well, which makes it a good bake-ahead cake.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the milk, egg and softened butter and knead for 10 minutes, until smooth, soft and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled.
- For the filling, bring the milk, sugar and butter to a simmer in a saucepan. Stir in the poppy seeds, raisins, lemon zest, vanilla and cinnamon and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring, until thick and spreadable.
- Spread the filling in a dish and let it cool completely, about 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle about 30 x 40 cm (12 x 16 in). Spread the cooled filling over it, leaving a 2 cm (3/4 in) border. Roll up tightly from the long side and pinch the seam closed.
- Place the roll on the tray, seam side down, and tuck the ends under. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes. Brush with the egg yolk glaze and prick the top several times with a skewer to let steam escape.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until deep golden. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, dust with powdered sugar and slice.
Tips
- If you cannot buy ground poppy seeds, grind whole seeds finely in a clean coffee or spice grinder. Whole seeds make a gritty filling.
- Cool the filling completely before spreading it. A hot filling makes the dough sticky and the roll may burst in the oven.
Questions and answers
Can I use ready-made poppy seed filling?
Yes. About 400 g (14 oz) of ready-made poppy seed filling works well. Spread it on the dough as it is and skip the filling steps.
How long does makovník keep?
Wrapped well, it keeps at room temperature for 3 days and in the fridge for a week. It also freezes well for up to 2 months.
Why did my makovník crack?
Cracks usually come from a hot filling, a loosely rolled roll or an oven that is too hot. Cool the filling, roll firmly, rest the roll for 30 minutes and bake at 180°C (350°F).
How long does it take to make Makovník (Slovak Poppy Seed Roll)?
About 1 h 30 min in total: 50 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Makovník (Slovak Poppy Seed Roll)?
About 435 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 58 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 435 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 58 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 140 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
