As someone born and raised in Poland, I have always cherished the unique and heartwarming traditions that make Polish Christmas celebrations so special. One of the culinary highlights of this festive season is Makówki, a delightful and symbolic dessert that has been a part of Christmas traditions in the area I’m from for generations. Join me on a culinary journey as we explore the history and flavors of Makówki and learn how to prepare this mouthwatering Christmas delight.

Makówki (pronounced mah-KOOV-kee) has been a cherished part of Christmas celebrations for generations. The word “mak” in Polish means poppy seeds, which are the star of this dessert. The history of Makówki dates back to the 17th century, with poppy seeds symbolizing abundance and fertility. This dish was initially served on Christmas Eve, known as “Wigilia,” a meal that marks the end of fasting and the start of the festive season.

Traditionally, poppy seeds were believed to bring good luck and protect against evil spirits, which made them an essential ingredient in Makówki. Over the years, the recipe evolved, and this dessert became a delightful fusion of rich flavours and heartwarming tradition.

Ingredients for Makówki

• 3 cups of poppy seeds
• 1 cup of honey
• 1 cup of milk/plant milk/water
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 cups of crushed nuts (walnuts or almonds work great)
• 1/2 cup of raisins
• 1/4 cup of candied orange peel (optional)
• 1/4 cup of candied lemon peel (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• A pinch of salt
• 5-6 slices of white bread (stale is perfect)
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• Desiccated coconut, almond flakes and finely chopped nuts for decoration

How to make Makówki

Preparing the Poppy Seeds

Start by washing the poppy seeds in hot water, then draining them. Grind the poppy seeds in a coffee grinder or food processor. You want them finely ground but not turned into a paste.

Honey Mixture

In a saucepan, warm the honey, milk, and sugar, stirring until well combined. Add the ground poppy seeds, ground nuts, raisins, candied orange and lemon peel, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together.

Layering

In a deep dish or casserole, start the layers by placing a slice of bread. Cover it with a portion of the poppy seed mixture. Continue layering with bread and the poppy seed mixture until you use up all the ingredients. Finish with a layer of the poppy seed mixture on top. Decorate with desiccated coconut, flaked almonds and crushed nuts.

Refrigeration

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. This allows the flavors to meld together.

Alternative ingredients

I highly recommend using whole milk for this recipe. However, if you can’t – or don’t want to – use regular milk, you can swap it for plant milk or even water. My Mum can’t stand the taste of milk and we always have the water-based version in our home. But not all is lost! I always put my portion of Makówki in a bowl and add a few tablespoons of warm milk to enrich the flavour.

As far as nuts and dried fruit go, raisins, walnuts and almonds are the classic selection in my family. Feel free to experiment with other dried fruits and nuts if you wish though, and find the perfect combination for your own taste buds.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy your Makówki

Makówki is best enjoyed with a warm cup of tea or coffee. Savor the unique, nutty, and sweet flavors that make this Polish Christmas treat so special.

Makówki is not just a dessert; it’s a taste of the rich cultural heritage and traditions that make Polish Christmas celebrations so unique and heartwarming. As you prepare and enjoy this delectable dish, you’re not only satisfying your taste buds but also connecting with the generations of Poles who have cherished this dessert during the holiday season. Merry Christmas, or as we say in Poland, “Wesołych Świąt!”

Also see:

• Christmas
• Sweet