This poppy seed roll is ultra-fluffy, sweet, and bursting with poppy seeds. Enjoy them at any time of the day with a steaming cup of coffee or tea!
Love poppy seeds? Try our fried sweet piroshky or honey walnut poppy seed cake to get your fix!
Poppy seed rolls are so nostalgic to me, evoking memories of running to take the first bite as they came out of the oven. They were one of my favorite treats growing up, and I would always beg my mom to bake them. Now as an adult, I love poppy seed rolls even more (because I can add as many poppy seeds as my heart desires!). By making this recipe, you are tasting a beloved part of Eastern European cuisine.
Poppy Seed Roll Video
How To Make Poppy Seed Roll
Get ready for a recipe that needs only a few basic ingredients, 20 minutes of hands-on time, and a bit of waiting. We promise it’s worth it!
- Prepare the dough: Make the perfect yeast pastry dough.
- Make the filling: Make the poppy seed filling and cool it to room temperature.
- Shape the rolls: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into four equal pieces. Roll out each piece into an 11×8 inch rectangle and spread the poppy seed filling on top. Starting from the shorter side, roll each rectangle up into a spiral.
- Allow the rolls to rise: Place the rolls seam side-down a few inches apart on a lined baking sheet, then cover and allow to rise until they are puffy. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Bake the rolls: Whisk together the egg and sugar. Once the rolls have risen, brush them with the egg wash and bake for 40 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Want to skip the rising time? Make our mini quick poppy seed rolls for a tasty shortcut.
Two Variations
Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Switch up the shape or filling of the poppy seed roll to create your dream dessert.
- Shape: For a fun “twist,” follow the assembly directions in our poppy seed buns recipe.
- Filling: Feeling fruity? Swap the poppy seed filling for strawberry jam, raspberry jam, apricot jam, or blackberry jam. Do you want a bit more flavor in your poppy seed filling? Add a dash of vanilla extract or almond extract to bring out the nuttiness. And of course, there’s no better flavor combination than lemons and poppy seeds — mix in lemon zest and lemon juice for a citrusy kick!
Tips For Irresistible Poppy Seed Rolls
When we tell you these poppy seed rolls are mouthwatering, you’d better believe it! Get ready for sticky fingers and smiles all around the table with these tips for success.
- Use fresh yeast. Always check the expiration date on your yeast to make sure the dough rises properly.
- Opt for a high quality flour. We love using Bob’s Red Mill all-purpose flour because it has extra protein and creates the fluffiest baked goods!
- Add mayonnaise to the dough. We know — it sounds crazy! But when you think about it, mayo is mainly oil and eggs. This secret ingredient adds moisture and richness to the dough.
- Knead the dough properly. A perfect yeast dough “kneads” to be kneaded until it is smooth and elastic. This ensures sufficient gluten development, creating the fluffiest roll.
- Grind the poppy seeds. For a smooth and luscious filling, grind the poppy seeds with a food processor, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle before adding them to the custard.
- Brush the rolls with butter (optional). More butter is better! As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter to give them extra shine and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
These poppy seed rolls are best enjoyed on the same day, but the leftovers are also delicious. Keep them soft and fresh by storing and reheating according to these tips.
- Room temperature: Allow the baked roll to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to three days.
- Freezer: To extend the pleasure of your poppy seed roll for up to two months, freeze them. Wrap each baked and cooled roll in plastic wrap, then place them in a ziplock bag in the freezer. Thaw the roll overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat leftover roll in the microwave or oven until they are soft and warmed through.
More Sweet Bread Recipes
- Vatrushka Buns — Stuffed with cream cheese and raisins
- Chocolate Babka — Layered with rich melted chocolate
- Easter Bread (Paska) — Sweet and fluffy brioche filled with raisins
- Brioche Cinnamon Rolls — Loads of cinnamon flavor!
Recipe
Instructions
- Prepare the perfect yeast pastry dough according to the instructions. While the dough is rising, prepare the filling.
- Make the poppy seed filling according to the instructions. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Divide the dough into four equal pieces.
- Roll out each piece of dough into an even 11×8 inch rectangle. Spread the poppy seed mixture onto the dough.
- Starting from the shorter side, roll the rectangle up like a jelly roll. Repeat the process with the other three pieces of dough.
- Place the rolls seam side-down a few inches apart from each other on a baking sheet.
- Lightly cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and allow the rolls to rise for about an hour, or until they become puffy.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg and sugar together. Brush each roll with the egg wash.
- Bake the rolls at 350°F for about 40 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Enjoy!
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