Re: Ethnic & Regional
Czech Poppy Seed Cookies
Makes about 24 cookies
Ingredients: For the dough:
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
For the filling:
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup ground poppy seeds
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground allspice
Make the dough: With an electric mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, egg and sour cream in a large bowl. Mix in the flour, salt and lemon zest to make a stiff dough. (The dough may be made ahead and refrigerated covered, for up to two days.)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly oil a baking sheet. Make the filling: Bring all of the filling ingredients to a boil in a sauce pan. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sugar and honey are well dissolved. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Roll out the dough on a floured board in a rectangle 1/3-inch thick. Spread the poppy seed filling on the dough and roll the rectangle from the long side as you would a jelly roll. Bake the roll on the baking sheet for 40 to 45 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 to 10 minutes, and slice while still warm into about 24 cookies.
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