Poppy Seed Filling Recipe: How to Make Poppy Seed Filling
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Dec 1, 2024 • 1 min read
Why settle for store-bought poppy seed filling when the homemade version is more delicious?
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What Is Poppy Seed Filling?
Poppy seed filling is a pastry filling made from ground poppy seeds mixed with sweeteners and other flavorings. Commercial poppy seed filling can be difficult to find, and it's often made with more corn syrup than poppy seeds. For a flavorful poppy seed filling, the homemade version is ideal.
How to Use Poppy Seed Filling
Poppy seed filling is an important component in many classic Central and Eastern European desserts.
- Hamantaschen: This triangular cookie is traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim. It can have many fillings, but poppy seed is one of the most popular.
- Makowiec: Makowiec is a Polish poppy seed roll similar to German strudel.
- Kolaches: Kolaches are Czech and Slovak pastries made from yeasted dough, which are sometimes filled with poppy seed filling.
- Mohntorte: Mohntorte is a poppy seed cake from Silesia, a historical area covering parts of Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. It is made of layers of shortcrust pastry and poppy seed filling.
Poppy Seed Filling Recipe
makes
About 2 cupsprep time
15 mintotal time
35 mincook time
20 minIngredients
- 1
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, milk, sugar, and lemon zest. Cook until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.
- 2
Grind the poppy seeds using a mortar and pestle, spice grinder, coffee grinder, or food processor.
- 3
Add the ground poppy seeds and raisins to the milk mixture and reduce to low heat.
- 4
Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is very thick and homogenous, about 10 minutes.
- 5
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- 6
Let cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
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