Traditional Cakes
For the cake:
For the poppy seed filling:
For the icing and decoration:
A traditional Polish poppy seed cake featuring a soft, buttery sponge and a rich, sweet poppy seed filling. Finished with a smooth icing and decorated with dried fruit and nuts, this homemade cake is a classic treat for Christmas, Easter and family celebrations. Its delicate texture and distinctive poppy seed flavour make it a favourite in Polish baking.
Prepare the cake batter. Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Beat the softened butter with the icing sugar and egg yolks until creamy. Add the flour mixed with the baking powder. Finally, gently fold in the whisked egg whites until combined.
Prepare the poppy seed filling. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, gradually adding the sugar in batches. Add the ready-made poppy seed filling and breadcrumbs to the whisked egg whites. Mix on a low speed until combined.
Line a 12 × 28 cm loaf tin with baking parchment. Transfer the cake batter to the tin and spread it evenly, creating a distinct groove along the centre.
Spoon the poppy seed filling over the cake batter. Place in an oven preheated to 180°C and bake for approximately 50 minutes.
Mix the icing sugar with the water until a thick, smooth icing forms. Pour the icing over the baked and cooled cake, then decorate with dried fruit and nuts.
Enjoy!
