Polish Poppy Seed Cake

This traditional Polish cake is rich with poppy seeds and usually served for special occasions like Christmas and Easter, but it's wonderful any time. A short crust base is topped with a poppy seed mixture, then glazed. Unique, delicious, and quite easy to do!

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 581 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• ⅓ cup boiling water
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons honey
• ¾ cup margarine
• 3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
• boiling water to cover
• 5 eggs, divided
• 9 tablespoons margarine
• 3 ½ cups poppy seeds
• 2 apple - peeled, cored, and grated

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place poppy seeds in a small pot, cover with boiling water and set aside for 24 hours.

Step 2

Line a colander with a cheesecloth and spoon in the poppy seeds. Allow to drain for several hours. Once drained, transfer to a food processor and process until fine.

Step 3

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup margarine, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg, and baking powder in a large bowl and knead into a smooth dough.

Step 4

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a deep quarter sheet pan (9x13-inches) and line with parchment paper.

Step 5

Roll out dough on a slightly floured surface and place in the prepared sheet pan.

Step 6

Combine egg yolks, 9 tablespoons margarine, and 1 cup sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in drained poppy seeds gradually. Add apples, honey, breadcrumbs, walnuts, and raisins and mix well.

Step 7

Beat egg whites in a glass, metal, or ceramic bowl until stiff peaks form. Lift your beater or whisk straight up: the egg whites will form sharp peaks. Fold egg whites into poppy seed mixture; spread over base in sheet pan.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour until cake is set; transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Step 9

Mix enough boiling water with confectioner's sugar to form a smooth icing. Spread generously over cooled cake.