Ingredients you’ll need
For the detailed instructions and exact measurements, please jump to the printable recipe card
This recipe for poppy seed bread has two simple parts. First, the yeast dough-you’ll need an egg, instant yeast, lukewarm milk, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and butter. Pretty straightforward stuff, right?
The magic happens in the poppy seed filling. Ground Poppy Seeds, Honey, Milk, Plum Butter and cinnamon.
You’ll need ground poppy seeds, which might sound intimidating but trust me, it’s not! Can’t find them pre-ground at the store? No problem. Just toss whole poppy seeds into a spice grinder, coffee grinder, or even a high-powered blender and pulse until finely ground. You can easily find poppy seeds in bulk on Amazon or at health food stores, which saves you a fortune compared to those tiny spice jar prices.
Now here’s where it gets authentically German: Plum jam or Powidl (plum butter). This thick, dark, almost caramelized plum spread is what gives the filling its moist and fruity richness. You can find it at European specialty stores or order it on Amazon. I even have a homemade plum butter recipe right here on my site if you’re feeling ambitious!
But listen-if tracking down plum butter feels like too much, don’t let that stop you. Any thick fruit jam or preserve will work in a pinch. The filling will still be delicious, just with a slightly different flavor profile. Apricot preserves, prune butter, or even a thick berry jam will do the trick.