Poppy Seed Strudel & Kolache Party

Poppy Seed Kolache

I think I'm genetically predisposed to love poppy seed. All the women on my Mom's side of the family can't get enough of it, and I'm no exception. It must be something about the mild sweetness combined with a sticky yet grainy texture... or maybe its the weighty flavour which sticks to your gut and grounds your soul. Dramatic? Of course it is! Just look how it oozes out of those cavernous folds of light, soft pastry beckoning a heavy bite.   

Poppy Seed Strudel

Kolache (pronounced Koh-LAH-kee) is a Czech sweet bread, and Strudel is a very popular sweet bread in Eastern European cultures like Poland and Germany, each having their own take on the bread. Strudel of course is German literally meaning "whirlpool" with several variations on the bread like mohnstrudel (poppy seed) and apfelstrudel (apple). Having Eastern European heritage myself, I'm almost sure my taste for poppy seed has been etched into my bones.


Poppy Seed Strudel & Kolache 

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 package active drive yeast

1/2 tsp ground allspice

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 can Solo Poppy Seed Cake and Pastry Filling

Handful raisins

12 toothpicks

For brushing egg wash:

1 egg

1 Tblsp whole milk


1. In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups of flour, yeast, and nutmeg.

2. In a medium saucepan, on low heat, heat and stir 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup butter, granulated sugar, and salt just until warm (not a simmer) and the butter almost melts. 

3. Add milk mixture to dry mixture along with the two eggs and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping side of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for about 3 minutes stirring in approx 1 cup of the remaining flour until the dough becomes smooth (not sticky). You could also mix by hand, but will take longer!

4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour (approx. the remaining 1 cup) to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes total). Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease the surface. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (for 1 to 1-1/2 hours).

5. Punch dough down. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Grease 2 baking sheets.

6. Roll each dough half into an approx. 12x6 inch rectangle, about an 1/8 inch thick. Cut off excess edges to make straight edges - reserve the excess edge dough.

For the Kolache:

1. Cut each rectangle in half, then 
into 6 squares. Using only 1 can of Solo Poppy Seed Filling, spoon a heaping tablespoon of poppy seed filling onto the center of each square. Add a few raisins to the top of the filling. Brush the four corners of each square with water. Draw the corners up and gently press together. Secure with a toothpick. Place on well greased baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Cover; let rise in a warm place until nearly double (about 35mins). Directions as shown below...

2. Brush each with an egg wash made with one egg beaten with a tablespoon of milk. Bake at 375F for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Transfer to wire racks, and cool completely before removing toothpicks.

***Please note you could use the excess dough to make more Kolache, but I like a variety so made a strudel.***

For the Strudel:
1. With the remaining excess dough (that was cut away to make the rectangles for the Kolache), roll out into a rectangle approx 1/8inch thick. Thinly spread 1/2 - 1 can of Solo Poppy Seed Filling over the rolled out dough. Sprinkle raisins over top of the poppy seed filling. 

2. Taking one edge, roll the dough into a strudel. Cover and let rise for approx 30mins. 

3. Bake at 375F on a greased baking sheet (one used for the Kolache) 30-35mins. Allow to cool completely, sprinkle with powdered sugar (optional).  

If poppy seed will make you think of any fashion trends, take note of statement sweaters and round sunglasses reminiscent of the 80s.

Sunglasses by The Row for Linda Farrow at LindaFarrow.com

Round sunglasses go well with a statement sweater...

 Image elleuk.com

**Starting on Thursday, January 26, check out other potluck dishes fellow gojee contributors shared. Go to gojee.com and enter “gojeepotluck” into I Crave.  You can also follow #gojeepotluck on Twitter.**

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