🥖 Beigli: Hungarian Nut & Poppy Seed Roll 🇭🇺✨
Beigli is a cherished Hungarian pastry, a must-have during Christmas and Easter! 🎄🐣 This beautifully swirled roll features a tender, slightly sweet yeasted dough wrapped around a rich and flavorful filling—typically walnut (diós) 🌰 or poppy seed (mákos) 🌱. Its golden, marbled crust and perfectly balanced sweetness make it a festive favorite! 🎉
✨ A Bite of History 📜
Beigli has been a staple in Hungarian kitchens for centuries! Originally brought from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it symbolizes luck and prosperity 🍀—with walnuts warding off evil spirits and poppy seeds bringing abundance. No Hungarian holiday table is complete without this classic treat! 💖
🥣 Ingredients
For the Dough:
🍞 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
🧈 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
🥚 2 egg yolks
🥄 2 tbsp sugar
🌿 1 packet (7g) instant yeast
🥛 ½ cup (120ml) milk, lukewarm
🧂 Pinch of salt
Walnut Filling (Diós):
🌰 2 cups (200g) ground walnuts
🥄 ½ cup (100g) sugar
🍯 1 tbsp honey
🥛 ¼ cup (60ml) milk
🍋 Zest of 1 lemon
🍷 1 tbsp rum (optional)
Poppy Seed Filling (Mákos):
🌱 2 cups (200g) ground poppy seeds
🥄 ½ cup (100g) sugar
🍯 1 tbsp honey
🥛 ¼ cup (60ml) milk
🍋 Zest of 1 lemon
🍏 ½ grated apple (for extra moisture)
Egg Wash:
🥚 1 egg yolk (for the first layer)
🥚 1 egg white (for the second layer)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Dough
1️⃣ In a bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the cold butter and rub it into the flour until crumbly. 🧈
2️⃣ Stir in the sugar and yeast. Add the egg yolks and lukewarm milk, then knead into a smooth dough. 🥚🥛
3️⃣ Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour. ❄️
2️⃣ Make the Filling
🔸 For the Walnut Filling: Heat the milk and sugar until dissolved. Stir in the walnuts, honey, lemon zest, and rum. Let cool. 🌰🍋
🔹 For the Poppy Seed Filling: Heat the milk and sugar, then add the poppy seeds, honey, lemon zest, and grated apple. Let cool. 🌱🍏
3️⃣ Roll & Fill
4️⃣ Roll out each portion of dough into a rectangle (about 10×12 inches / 25×30 cm). 🏵️
5️⃣ Spread the filling evenly, leaving a ½-inch (1cm) border. 🥄
6️⃣ Gently roll the dough tightly from one end, sealing the edges well. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 🌀
4️⃣ Egg Wash & Bake
7️⃣ Brush the rolls with egg yolk and let them dry for 30 minutes. 🌞
8️⃣ Brush with egg white and let dry again—this creates the classic marbled crust! ✨
9️⃣ Poke tiny holes with a fork (to prevent cracks) and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes until golden brown. 🔥