Hungarian Beigli, Walnut & Poppy Seed Roll Cake

Here’s an authentic Hungarian Beigli recipe 🇭🇺 — the classic Walnut (Diós) & Poppy Seed (Mákos) Roll Cakes, just like made for Christmas and special occasions.


🇭🇺 Hungarian Beigli – Walnut & Poppy Seed Roll Cake

Ingredients (Makes 2 rolls)

Dough

  • 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (225 g) cold butter, cubed
  • 2 egg yolks
  • ½ cup (120 ml) warm milk
  • 2¼ tsp (7 g) dry yeast
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Walnut Filling (Diós)

  • 1½ cups (180 g) ground walnuts
  • ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) hot milk
  • Zest of ½ lemon
  • ½ tsp cinnamon

Poppy Seed Filling (Mákos)

  • 1½ cups (180 g) ground poppy seeds
  • ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) hot milk
  • Zest of ½ lemon
  • ½ tsp vanilla

For Brushing

  • 1 egg yolk + 1 egg white (separated)

Instructions

1. Dough

  1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk with 1 tsp sugar. Let foam 10 minutes.
  2. Mix flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest.
  3. Rub in cold butter until crumbly.
  4. Add egg yolks and yeast mixture. Knead until smooth.
  5. Divide dough into 2 equal portions, wrap, and chill 30–60 minutes.

2. Fillings

  • Walnut: Mix walnuts, sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon. Add hot milk; cool.
  • Poppy seed: Mix poppy seeds, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla. Add hot milk; cool.

3. Assemble

  1. Roll each dough portion into a rectangle (about 10×14 in / 25×35 cm).
  2. Spread filling evenly, leaving a 1-inch border.
  3. Roll tightly and seal ends.

4. Egg Wash (Traditional Shine & Crack Pattern)

  1. Brush rolls with egg yolk. Chill 15 minutes.
  2. Brush with egg white. Chill another 15 minutes.

5. Bake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Prick tops lightly with a fork.
  • Bake 30–35 minutes until golden with natural cracks.

Tips for Perfect Beigli:

  • Fillings must be completely cool
  • Don’t overfill or it will crack too much
  • Beigli tastes even better after 1–2 days

Storage:

  • Wrap tightly — keeps up to 1 week
  • Freezes beautifully ❄️

If you want, I can:

  • simplify it for beginners
  • give measurements in grams only
  • or write a viral holiday Facebook caption 🎄

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