For a very long time I would not touch poppy seeds. I don’t really know what my problem with poppy seeds was, they don’t taste or smell bad. Sorry poppy seeds for discriminating against you, shame on me. Those discriminating days are long gone and now I quite like them. These little blueish black seeds, which also come in a white variety, are commonly used by many people around the world. But if you’ve ever traveled to slavic countries you will notice that poppy seeds are very popular in the local cuisines, particularly sweet pastries.
One day after hearing a friend go on about how delicious a plum pastry she had eaten the day before I finally decided to give poppy seeds a try. It was the same little round yeasted bread with a sweet center filling of plum and poppy seed that my friend spoke about. I couldn’t believe how great it tasted, boy had I really been missing out. The filling was sweet like jam and a little texture came from the ground up poppy seeds. There was also a taste and texture of nuts. From that day forward I was hooked and will dive into those pastries any chance that arises.
This recipe was inspired by those Czech plum pastries but it is not a traditional recipe. I have been pushing myself to become as comfortable with baking as I am with cooking savory dishes so to me that calls for experimentation. While these do not taste exactly like the pastries which got me hooked they aren’t too bad, if I do say so myself. These little pastries were really a combination of two different tarts that I remember tasting. Next attempt I will either hunt down a Babicka to give me her secret family recipe or there’s always the internet. Please feel free to play around or suggest modifications to the recipe. 
Poppy Seed Plum Tarts, Czech Inspired
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 tarts 1x
Description
These Czech-inspired tarts feature a yeasty bread base with a sweet and nutty poppy seed and plum filling, perfect for dessert or breakfast.
Ingredients
- 15 grams or 1 tablespoon fresh yeast
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 2 tablespoons warm milk
- 2/3 cup (125 ml) warm milk
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) white sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 1/2 cup poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup plum jam
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine 15 grams of fresh yeast, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of warm milk. Stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix well.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the yeast mixture, 2/3 cup of warm milk, 2 eggs, and 3 tablespoons of sunflower oil. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into circles using a cookie cutter or a glass.
- In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of poppy seeds with 1/2 cup of plum jam and 1/4 cup of chopped nuts if using.
- Place a teaspoon of the poppy seed and plum mixture in the center of each dough circle. Fold the edges slightly over the filling to form a tart shape.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash. Brush the edges of the tarts with the egg wash.
- Place the tarts on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow the tarts to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
These tarts are great with a cup of tea or coffee. You can substitute the plum jam with apricot or raspberry jam for a different flavor. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes before serving to refresh the texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Czech
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 35
As you can see the tarts are a yeasty bread with a sweet fruity center. They are great as a dessert with a cup of tea or coffee but they also taste great as a breakfast pastry. What is your favorite ways to use poppy seeds?
