Braided buns with cinnamon and poppy seeds
Description
Delicious baked goods for the whole family. If you've never baked braided buns at home, now is the perfect time to start, as this recipe reveals a secret to making the tastiest buns. It's not just about the filling, but also about how you shape the braid. Try to turn the filling outward as much as possible—this way, it will get nicely baked and taste even better. I recommend brushing the buns with egg not right before baking, but 2 minutes before the end of baking; this will make their color much brighter. Serve them cooled down or slightly warm.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
1. Prepare the dough: mix half of the flour with sugar, yeast, and milk. Set the dough aside and beat room-temperature eggs with salt until thick and stiff peaks form.
- 2
Step 2
2. Add vanilla, sugar, and beat until the sugar dissolves. Add the yeast with flour, soft butter, and the remaining sifted flour. Knead the dough with a wooden spoon, then transfer it onto a floured surface.
- 3
Step 3
3. Knead the dough by adding 50 g of flour. Transfer the dough to a bowl greased with vegetable oil, cover with a lid, and let it sit at room temperature for 1.5 hours.
- 4
Step 4
4. Prepare the poppy seed filling: rinse the poppy seeds in warm water, then transfer them to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Mix with milk and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the liquid has evaporated.
- 5
Step 5
5. Remove from heat and add butter with sugar. Mash the poppy seeds for 5-10 minutes. Cool the poppy seeds in the refrigerator. For the cinnamon filling, mix cinnamon with sugar (100 g). If necessary, pass the poppy seeds through a fine sieve.
- 6
Step 6
6. Knead the dough and divide it into 4 parts. On a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a 15x25 cm rectangle. Spread the poppy seed filling evenly over the entire surface of the dough.
- 7
Step 7
7. Roll the dough into a log, flip it seam-side up, and cut it in half lengthwise along the seam, leaving one end uncut. Twist the dough, turning the cut side up, to form a braid. Join the ends together and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- 8
Step 8
8. Similarly, prepare the cinnamon version. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 20–30 minutes.
- 9
Step 9
9. A few minutes before the end, brush the braids with slightly beaten egg, only on the dough.