This Airy, Fragrant Poppy Seed Roll Is Your New Tea-Time Obsession

This poppy seed roll is pure cozy-weekend energy: soft crumb, fragrant filling, a balanced sweetness that plays nicely with a cup of tea. It packs well for the office or a picnic, and the method stays friendly even if you are not baking every Sunday.

What you need

• Dough - wheat flour 300 g; sugar 100 g; 1 egg; milk 80 ml; butter 50 g, melted; dry yeast 1 tsp; fine salt 1/4 tsp
• Filling and finish - poppy seeds 150 g; sugar 80 g; milk 50 ml; 1 egg yolk for brushing

How to make it

Step 1: Wake up the yeast. Warm the milk until pleasantly warm to the touch, stir in the yeast and a pinch of sugar, and let it stand for about 10 minutes until foamy on top.

Step 2: Mix the dough. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the egg, the melted butter, and the frothy yeast mixture. Knead until the dough turns soft and elastic. Cover with a towel and set in a warm spot for 1 hour, so it doubles in volume.

Step 3: Prep the poppy seeds. While the dough rises, pour boiling water over the poppy seeds and let them sit for 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

Step 4: Cook the filling. In a small saucepan, combine the drained poppy seeds, sugar, and milk. Cook over low heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Cool to room temperature.

Step 5: Roll it out. On a lightly floured surface, roll the risen dough into a rectangle about 0.5 cm thick. Spread the cooled poppy filling evenly, leaving a 2 cm margin along the long sides. Roll up from a long side and pinch the edges to seal.

Step 6: Proof and prep. Place the roll seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a towel and rest for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180 C. Just before baking, brush the top with the beaten egg yolk.

Step 7: Bake. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the crust turns a rich golden color. A wooden skewer inserted in the center should come out dry.

Step 8: Finish and slice. Cool the roll on a rack, then slice into portions. Expect a tender crumb, a fragrant poppy swirl, and just the right amount of sweetness. Tea is clearly the move here.