How to Make Beigli (Hungarian Poppy Seed & Walnut Rolls)

Beigli is an authentic Hungarian pastry roll that is often served for Christmas. It is sweet and has many varieties of fillings, the most common of which are poppy seeds and walnuts.

Ingredients

2 1/4 tsp (8g) of traditional active dry yeast (1 package)
1/4-1/2 cup (60-120 ml) milk
1 tsp (4g) granulated sugar
1/3 cup + 1 tbsp icing sugar
1/4 cup (60 ml) lukewarm milk
4 cups (500g) all purpose flour
1/3 cup + 1 tbsp (94 ml) granulated sugar
1/4 tsp (1.5g) salt
1 1/2 sticks (170g) of unsalted butter
3 egg yolks
Walnut puree filling: 1 2/3 cup of ground walnut; 1/2 cup sugar; 2-3 tsp of grated lemon rind; 1/4 cup water
Poppy Seeds filling: 2/3 cups poppy seeds, grind well; 5 tbsp sugar; 1/2 tbsp honey; 1/4 tsp + 1/2 tsp grated lemon rind; 1/2 tbsp +1/4 tbsp+1/4 tbsp apricot jam

Steps

1
Dissolve the yeast and granulated sugar in 1/4 cup of lukewarm milk. Set aside for 10 minutes until the liquid forms a foamy mixture.
2
Combine the flour, icing sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the butter. Mix well.

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3
Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and egg yolks. Mix gently, gradually adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk until the dough can be formed into a ball. Cover with a cloth and let rise until doubled in size (2 hours).
4
Grind the walnuts and poppy seeds separately.
5
Mix the ingredients for the two fillings separately in a medium saucepan and simmer over a low heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the stove and allow to cool.
6
Divide the dough into two halves and roll each half on a floured surface into 12x18 inch rectangles. Spread the nut filling on one rectangle and the poppy seed filling on the other, leaving a margin of at least an inch on all edges.
7
Turn up the sides to prevent leaking and roll the beigli lengthwise to form two 12-inch rolls. Brush the tops of the rolls with egg whites, poke a few holes in them with a fork.
8
Bake at 350 °F (177 °C) for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
9
Finished.

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Community Q&A

Question

Will this roll last in the US mail for 3 days or will it be inedible when it gets there?

Community Answer

Because it will not be refrigerated and it will be subjected to several temperature changes, it would not be a good idea to send it through the mail. More than likely it will have mold on it when it gets there.