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How to Make Poppy Seed Filling

How to make the best poppy seed filling. Store-bought versions can't touch this! from @natashaskitchen

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Poppyseed cake and pastry filling is a staple in Russian and Ukrainian kitchens. The good news: it’s not difficult or time consuming to master and you can pre-make it even a week in advance. I just can’t guarantee someone won’t break into your fridge and sneak bites of it during the week. I love that there are just 2 ingredients.

You can find good poppy seeds at Whole Foods and Fred Meyer in the bin/bulk food sections. Most stores carry them but it’s worthwhile to pay a little more for a higher grade poppy seed that tastes sweeter. The cheaper poppy seeds have a slight bitterness to them. Store-bought pre-made poppyseed fillings can’t touch this. It’s wonderful in the poppyseed roulade that I posted awhile back and the recipe that I’ll be posting next (stay tuned!).

Ingredients for Poppyseed filling:

1 cup dry poppy seeds
8 to 10 oz sweetened condensed milk (about 2/3 of a 14 oz can)

Poppy Seeds

Optional Add-ins:

Raisins (white or brown)
Finely chopped walnuts

Tools you’ll need:

A meat/food grinder (preferred method)
– OR – a clean coffee grinder (can be milled in small batches).

Prepping the Poppy Seeds while dough is rising:

1. Rinse poppy seeds thoroughly in a fine mesh colander, then drain them and transfer to a medium sauce pan.

Poppy Seeds-2

2. Add 3 cups water to the pot. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer. (Don’t boil). Turn off. Cover with lid and let it sit for 30 minutes. Return to a simmer (don’t boil). Turn off. Cover and let it sit for another 30 minutes.

Poppy Seeds-6

3. Drain poppy seeds well through a colander or by keeping lid on and placing several layers of cheese cloth over lid to catch stray poppy seeds. Life is just easier when you use a fine mesh sieve like this OXO Strainer.

Poppy Seeds-3

4. Push the poppy seeds through a food grinder, using the fine grinding plate. I use my KitchenAid food grinder attachment for my stand mixer. You can also use a coffee grinder and do it in smaller batches. Note: If using a meat grinder, you need to push firmly. The seeds won’t grind well unless they are under pressure. P.S. I’ve tried putting them through a food processor and it did not work. Drain off excess liquid if any has accumulated in the bowl.

Russian Cake Truffles-11

Poppy Seeds-8

5. Mix 8-10 ounces of sweetened condensed milk into ground poppy seeds. I like to add 10 oz because I’m wild like that ;). Add raisins if desired (depending on the recipe you’re making). Store in tupperware and refrigerate until ready to use.

Poppy Seeds-7

How to make the best poppy seed filling. Store-bought versions can't touch this! from @natashaskitchen

How to Make PoppySeed Filling (2 ways)

4.95 from 40 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Poppyseed cake and pastry filling in a staple in Russian and Ukrainian kitchens. The good news: it's not difficult or time consuming to master and you can pre-make it even a week in advance. I love that there are just 2 ingredients. You can find good poppy seeds at Whole Foods and Fred Meyer in the bin/bulk food sections. Most stores carry them but it's worthwhile to pay a little more for a higher grade poppyseed that tastes sweeter. The cheaper poppy seeds have a slight bitterness to them. Store-bought pre-made poppyseed fillings can't touch this. It's wonderful in roulades and sweet buns (pirohi).
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 2 cups

For the PoppySeed Filling:

Optional Add-ins:

  • Raisins, white or brown
  • Finely chopped walnuts

Tools you'll need:

  • A meat/food grinder, preferred method
  • - OR - a clean coffee grinder, can be milled in small batches.

Instructions

  • Rinse poppy seeds thoroughly in a fine mesh colander, then drain them and transfer to a medium sauce pan.
  • Add 3 cups water to the pot. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer. (Don’t boil). Turn off. Cover with lid and let it sit for 30 minutes. Return to a simmer (don’t boil). Turn off. Cover and let it sit for another 30 minutes.
  • Drain poppy seeds well through a colander or by keeping lid on and placing several layers of cheese cloth on lid to catch stray poppy seeds. Life is just easier when you use a fine mesh sieve.
  • Push the poppy seeds through a food grinder, using the fine grinding plate. I use my KitchenAid food grinder attachment for my stand mixer. You can also use a coffee grinder and do it in smaller batches. Note: If using a meat grinder, you need to push firmly. The seeds won’t grind well unless they are under pressure. P.S. I’ve tried putting them through a food processor and it did not work. Drain off excess liquid if any has accumulated in the bowl.
  • Mix 8-10 ounces of sweetened condensed milk into ground poppy seeds. I like to add 10 oz. Add raisins if desired (depending on the recipe you're making). Store in tupperware and refrigerate until ready to use.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
Keyword: PoppySeed Filling
Skill Level: Easy/Medium
Cost to Make: $$
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Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

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4.95 from 40 votes (24 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  • Veronica Matula
    December 5, 2024

    Thank you for your wonderful recipes. I am making poppyseed kolaches and was unable to find poppyseed in bulk so will use Solo canned poppyseed filling instead. I would appreciate any suggestions about how to make it more like from scratch. Should I add a bit of milk ? Maybe some butter or egg ?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 6, 2024

      Hi Veronica, I haven’t tested that filling to offer advice on that. I also don’t know what is pre-mixed into it. It would be a wild guess at best. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.

      Reply

  • Adam Sher
    March 19, 2024

    Perfect mohn. Im eating the leftovers with a spoon. Coffee grinder worked great.

    Reply

  • Janet
    March 18, 2024

    I’m curious why you don’t grind the poppy seeds first. It seems like it would be a lot easier. Any thoughts?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 20, 2024

      Hi Janet, I can see why you may want to do it that way, there are various reasons including using traditional methods, flavor preservation, time consideration and general preferences. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.

      Reply

  • Tee
    January 12, 2024

    @Natasha,
    Can you substitute Coconut
    Milk or Coconut Cream plus sweetener to make it Gluten Free ??

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 12, 2024

      Hi Tee, are you trying to make it gluten free or dairy free with the coconut substitution? I haven’t tried an alternative to either to advice.

      Reply

  • Gladys Sullivan
    June 23, 2023

    I’ve been making poppyseed roll for years. When I saw this recipe my heart ❤️ said YES. I cannot wait to try it. Thank you

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 24, 2023

      I hope you love this recipe, Gladys!

      Reply

  • Ella
    April 8, 2023

    I saw your recipe and was so happy Granny used to make these when we visited but never gave us the recipe. I tried your recipe and it was like stepping back in time. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      April 8, 2023

      That’s amazing, Ella! I’m so glad you liked the recipe.

      Reply

  • Jeri
    January 30, 2023

    I am making Kutia for our supper club. I followed the direction for the poppyseeds but after the second 30 minutes, I had a gelatinous mess similar to fishers. My water may have been too hot. I did grind the mess in my Vitamixer and that grinds it but I wound up flushing down the toilet. Will try something else now. Maybe just grind them as is.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 31, 2023

      Hi Jeri, I haven’t had that experience, and it’s hard to say what went wrong without being there. I recommend reading through the post again and ensuring the steps or ingredients were substituted.

      Reply

      • steve repa
        August 14, 2024

        the vita mixer pureyed the poppies seed rather tha grinding them as in the grinder -would not have thrown them away but would have added nuts and raisins and baked a pie

        Reply

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