Slovak Poppyseed, Apricot and Nut Bread (Orechovnik)

dried apricots

🥗Healthier: dried figs

💰Cheaper: raisins

Figs offer a similar sweetness with fewer calories.

mixed nuts

🥗Healthier: almonds

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Almonds are more nutritious, while sunflower seeds are cost-effective.

Combine all-purpose flour, salt, and confectionary sugar in a bowl.

Add yeast to the dry ingredients.

Warm the whole milk and add it to the bowl along with the whole eggs and melted butter.

Mix at medium speed until the dough forms and pulls away from the bowl.

Let the dough rise in a covered bowl for 1 to 2 hours.

Prepare the poppy seed filling by pulsing poppy seeds in a food processor.

Heat milk to boiling in a saucepan, then add pulsed poppy seeds, white raisins, canola oil, vanilla extract, and confectionary sugar.

Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, then let cool.

Roll out the dough into a rectangular shape.

Spread the poppy seed filling evenly over the dough, leaving an inch around the edges.

Apply egg wash to the edges, roll the dough loosely from the top down, and pinch the seams closed.

Place seam side down on a cookie sheet to rise again.

Prepare nut filling by melting butter in a skillet, then adding granulated sugar and mixing until it forms a paste.

Add chopped walnuts and stir for about a minute, then remove from heat and mix in raisins and vanilla extract.

Let the mixture cool, then add a beaten egg and mix well.

Spread the nut mixture over the rolled dough, apply egg wash, and roll up, pinching seams closed.

Prepare apricot filling by boiling dried apricots in water until absorbed, then cool and process in a food processor.

Return processed apricots to a pan, add sugar, lemon juice, and orange juice, and cook on low until thickened.

Spread apricot filling over rolled dough, apply egg wash, roll up, and pinch seams closed.

Let all loaves rise for another hour before baking.

Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for approximately 30 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens