Loupáky (Sweet Poppy Seed Buns)
Description: Sweet yeast buns with poppy seeds, also known as 'makovka'. This recipe is adapted from @eska_pekarna and @ambiente_restaurants, yielding 12 mini buns. The dough is enriched with butter and milk for a soft texture. The author notes a slight variation in shaping for simplicity. The buns are meant to evoke childhood memories.
Ingredients
- 480 g all-purpose flour
- 80 g granulated sugar
- 15 g vanilla sugar
- 7.5 g salt
- 1 egg + for brushing
- 240 ml lukewarm milk
- 27.5 g fresh yeast
- 75 g softened butter
- poppy seeds or almonds for topping
Instructions
- In a stand mixer, combine flour, granulated sugar, vanilla sugar, salt, egg, and milk. Knead on low speed, then high speed for approximately 15 minutes until a smooth dough forms.
- Add crumbled fresh yeast, mix, and finally add softened butter. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise until doubled in volume (this can take an hour or more, depending on room temperature and yeast activity).
- Once risen, divide the dough into three equal portions. Then, divide each portion into four equal pieces, resulting in 12 small dough balls. Shape them as desired (the author mentions they are not a professional but they turn out nicely).
- Place the shaped buns on a baking sheet, brush them with egg wash, sprinkle with poppy seeds or almonds, and let them rise for another 20 minutes, covered with a kitchen towel.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for approximately 18 minutes.