The dough in this bite-size poppy seed roll is made from scratch so it’s super moist and fluffy. Each roll is filled with homemade poppy seed filling. It is perfect for your next brunch.
Are you feeling adventurous? If you want to bake a really different loaf of bread, try my authentic Georgian Khachapuri cheese bread recipe.
How to Make a Poppy Seed Roll
This pull apart bread is perfect for a large gathering, and the best part, no cutting needed. Just pull of any piece you want. And it comes out of the oven looking absolutely stunning! It is one of my favorite “show off breads” because it is so beautiful. The movement of the rolls of bread with the contrasting poppy seeds all makes this a lovely centerpiece for parties.
What is a Poppy Seed Roll?
A poppy seed roll is a sweet bread rolled around poppy seed filling. Authentic poppy seed rolls hail from eastern Europe – namely Poland and surrounding countries. I didn’t roll mine in the authentic fashion. You’ll find some recipes that turn out looking more like loaves of bread you have to slice. My poppy seed rolls pull apart and are bite-sized. No slicing needed!
For a really authentic poppy seed roll recipe, check out the Polish Housewife. Her recipe is easy to follow.
Ingredients:
- milk
- sugar
- yeast
- flour
- salt
- eggs
- sour cream
- vanilla
- butter
- Poppy seed filling recipe (tripled)
Instructions:
Read the recipe card at the bottom for the complete instructions. To make your own pull-apart poppy seed rolls, you’ll need to do the following steps.
- Combine warm milk, sugar, yeast, and some of the flour. Let it sit in a warm place for about 15 minutes.
- Add the rest of the flour and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer. Pour in the warm milk and yeast mixture.
- Then add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Using the hook attachment, mix until it begins to take shape.
- Pour in the melted butter and continue mixing on medium-high speed until the dough becomes smooth and doesn’t stick to the side of the bowl anymore.
- Place the dough in a large greased bowl and cover. Let it sit in a warm place until it doubles in size.
- Place the dough on a floured surface and divide it into 3 parts.
- Roll each piece of dough into a circle. Cut out small circles, using a cup 3 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Keep the dough scraps. Put them in plastic wrap and let them rise so you can reuse them to cut more circles.
- Fill each circle with 1 tbsp of the poppy seed filling. Fold it over in half and pinch the two corners together.
- Then fill up the pan with the rolls.
- When you get to the middle, make the middle pieces and place them prominently in the center.
- Let the finished pastry rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
- Brush with egg wash and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
More Bread Recipes
Did you enjoy this poppy seed roll recipe? It turns out so beautiful! Keep your baking energies high, cause you have to try one of these next.
Full Recipe Instructions
Poppy Seed Pull Apart Bread
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tsp dry active yeast
- 5.5-6 cups app purpose flour divided
- Pinch of salt
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 recipe homemade poppy seed filling tripled
Instructions
- Combine warm milk, sugar, yeast, and 1/2 cup flour. Let it sit in a warm place for about 15 minutes.
- Add the rest of the flour and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer. Pour in the warm milk and yeast mixture.
- Then add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Using the hook attachment, mix until it begins to take shape.
- Pour in the melted butter and continue mixing on medium high speed until the dough becomes smooth and doesn't stick to the side of the bowl anymore.
- Place the dough in a large greased bowl and cover. Let it sit in a warm place until it doubles in size. (About 1 hour)
- Place the dough on a floured surface and divide it into 3 parts.
- Roll each piece of dough into a circle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out small circles, using a cup 3 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Roll up the leftover dough scraps into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Place it in a warm oven for 10-15 minutes until it rises again and reuse it to cut out more circles.
- Prepare 2 (10 -nch) round baking pans with parchment paper and nonstick spray.
- Fill each circle with 1 tbsp of the poppy seed filling. Fold it over in half and pinch the two corners together.
- Place them into the baking sheet standing up with the filling showing. Continue placing them in the pan working your way from the outside in.
- Once you reach the middle, cut two dough circles in half. Fill 3 of them with 1/2 tbsp of poppy seed filling.
- Place the filled half circles in a row overlapping each other. Then roll them up as one. Place this flower-like piece in the center of the baking pan.
- Let the finished pastry rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
- Brush with egg wash and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on March 18, 2016, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
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Anna says
Absolutely stunning! My mouth is watering…
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Anna! 🙂
Lena says
Wow!!!! Dina five stars for this flower. Beautiful! I love it! Will bake it for Easter.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you so much! You are so kind 🙂