Old World Poppy Seed Roll Recipe

Place poppy seeds into a food processor and process for about 1 minute or until seeds are ground.

Mix poppy seeds with ¾ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon melted butter, lemon juice, and hot milk in a bowl; stir to combine. Cover poppy seed filling and refrigerate while making bread.

Mix yeast with water and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Allow to stand until the yeast forms a creamy layer.

Whisk flour with salt in a bowl; use a pastry cutter to cut ¼ cup butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Pour yeast mixture and egg yolk into flour mixture and stir to make a soft dough.

Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until smooth and slightly springy. If the dough is too sticky, knead in more flour, about 2 tablespoons at a time.

Cut dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece out into a 12×16-inch rectangle.

Spread half the poppy seed filling over each rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold the 1-inch border back over the filling on all sides and press down.

Pick up the shorter side of a dough rectangle and roll it like a jelly roll; repeat with second rectangle. Pinch ends together or tuck ends under to prevent filling from leaking out.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; place rolls seam sides down on the baking sheet and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Beat egg white in a bowl until frothy; brush the rolls with beaten egg white.

Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until dark golden brown on top. Remove from oven and cover rolls with a clean kitchen towel until cool to keep crust soft. Cool completely before slicing.