In every family, there is one type of candy that is baked just for fun, without great expectations. And then a small miracle happens and the low-key scones disappear from the plate before the rest of the classic repertoire.
Christmas has a special charm. As soon as poppy seeds, butter and the smell of baked dough appear in the kitchen, one is back in childhood, at the table where sweets are being prepared and everything has a completely different rhythm than during the year. Poppy scones are often underrated because they don’t look as fancy as . But these wheels can surprise. When they are cared for, they are soft, fragrant and easily outshine their more famous neighbors on the Christmas table.
For a video from Toprecepty about a great poppy seed filling for pies, check out YouTube:
A poppy that does half the job
The poppy seed filling is the basis that determines the resulting taste. Just boil it briefly, season with sugar, cinnamon and which develops the fragrance beautifully. When the apartment starts to smell like poppy seeds and butter during preparation, it’s clear that Christmas is here.
A dough that does not disappoint
The dough is simple and easy to work with. It’s actually a close relative of Linnaeus, just a little less sweet to make the poppy filling stand out. After a short period of time in the fridge, it is beautifully pliable and takes shape well. Small patties are made from the dough, a scoop of filling is placed in the middle and everything is gently pressed. Nothing complicated, but the result has a nice homely feel.
Recipe for Christmas Poppy Cookies
Raw materials:
For the dough:
- 250 g plain flour
- 150 g of butter
- 80 g of powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- lemon zest to taste
For the filling:
- 150 g of ground poppy seeds
- 120 ml of milk
- 2-3 spoons of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of rum
- a pinch of cinnamon
Procedure:
Pour flour and sugar into a bowl, add softened butter, eggs and lemon zest. Use your hands or a robot to work out a smooth dough, which you leave to rest in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Cover the poppy with milk, boil briefly, sweeten, add cinnamon and rum. Leave to cool. Form small buns from the rested dough, which you flatten slightly on the baking sheet. Place a teaspoon of poppy seed filling in the center of each and gently press it in with your finger. Bake in a preheated oven at 170°C for approximately 10 to 12 minutes until the edges start to turn golden. Leave the cakes to cool, only then will they acquire the right softness.
Baking that smells the whole apartment
Poppy cookies smell a little like childhood and a little like quiet winter evenings. They are not overly sweet, which makes them perfect for tea or sitting by the tree in the evening.
“If you want to add something extra to the poppy mixture, mix in a spoonful of jam, they will add juiciness to the filling,” advises chef David Šlapák.
These scones may not look like the stars of the holiday season, but once you put them on the plate, they disappear in a flash. And that is the reason why people return to them year after year. Despite their inconspicuousness, they have one special power – they taste like home.
