Heavenly Poppy Seed Roll (Makowiec) – Easy Bread Machine Recipe

Poppy Seed Roll (Makowiec) – Bread Machine Method

Cook Time: 30 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Description:
This delightful Poppy Seed Roll, known as Makowiec, is a cherished treat during Christmas and Easter celebrations. Perfect for sharing with friends and family, I often make multiple rolls to cater to varying preferences for poppy seed filling. Some enjoy a generous filling, while others prefer just a hint of it. The dough can even be prepared a day in advance; simply let it rise for an hour, punch it down, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, bring it to room temperature and let it rise again for an hour before baking.

Recipe Category

Yeast Breads

Ingredients

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Instructions

1. Scald the Buttermilk: Begin by scalding the buttermilk and stirring in the sugar, salt, and either shortening or butter until well combined.
2. Cool the Mixture: Allow the mixture to cool to a lukewarm temperature.
3. Activate the Yeast: In a separate bowl, dissolve the dry yeast in the warm water, stirring until fully dissolved.
4. Combine Mixtures: Pour the yeast mixture into the lukewarm buttermilk mixture, stirring thoroughly to combine.
5. Add Eggs and Flour: Beat in the eggs followed by 3 cups of all-purpose flour until the mixture is smooth, then gradually stir in an additional 2 cups of flour.
6. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it becomes smooth and elastic.
7. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, brush the top with vegetable oil, cover it, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free location until it has doubled in size (approximately 1 hour).
8. Punch Down: Once risen, punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into two rounds (or four for smaller loaves).
9. Roll Out Dough: Roll out one round into a rectangle measuring about 12×9 inches.
10. Spread the Filling: Evenly spread one can of poppy seed filling over the rectangle, leaving about an inch of space at the edges.
11. Roll the Dough: Carefully roll the dough from the long side into a tight log, pinching the seams to ensure that no filling escapes.
12. Prepare for Baking: If desired, wrap the rolled dough in parchment paper to help maintain its shape, securing the seams, or simply place it in a loaf pan for baking.
13. Second Rise: Allow the shaped loaf to rise again for about 1 hour until it has doubled in size.
14. Bake: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake the loaf for approximately 30 minutes or until it is beautifully browned.
15. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven, let cool if using parchment, and enjoy. For added sweetness, drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze or serve with sweet butter.

Alternative Bread Machine Method

1. Add Ingredients: In your bread machine, combine the eggs, room-temperature buttermilk, and 1/2 cup of water first (or reverse if your machine requires dry ingredients first).
2. Layer Flour: Cover with 2 cups of flour, then add the butter and salt. Top with the remaining flour and sugar, making a small indent in the flour for the yeast.
3. Set Cycle: Use 2 1/2 teaspoons of rapid-rise active yeast, set your machine to the dough cycle, and monitor the dough, adding more water if needed.
4. Shape and Bake: Follow the rolling and filling instructions above, noting that the final rise may only take about 15 minutes with this method.

Tips for Perfect Poppy Seed Roll

• Ensure that the yeast is fresh for optimal rising.
• Adjust water depending on your flour’s dryness.
• Experiment with the filling amount to suit different tastes.

Enjoy this beautiful Poppy Seed Roll, a delightful addition to any holiday table!