Cottagers’ Poppy Cake

Czech name: Chalupářská maková bábovka

Written by Denisa Nemcova

This is a local Czech recipe from the Liberec Region.

The Liberec Region offer outstanding natural and cultural condition for tourism, both in the winter and summer. The rich cultural and historical tradition of the Liberec Region is reflected not only in the large amount of historic buildings and monuments, but also in the cultural facilities.  The Liberec Region is situated in the north of the Czech Republic. The area includes the north of the Czech basin, Jizera Mountains, the western foothills of the Kronose Mountains, and the eastern part of the Luz Mountains.

For more information about the Liberec Region, from which this recipe comes, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup poppy seeds
4 Tbs honey
2 tsp vanilla sugar
1 lb and 3 Tbs unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
5 tsp baking powder
4 Tbs heavy whipping cream
salt and nutmeg to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300F.  Butter and flour a 9×5 inch pan.

Finely grind the poppy seed (you can use an electric coffee or spice grinder). Put the finely ground poppy seed into a pan with the milk and simmer over medium heat. Add honey, grated nutmeg, and vanilla sugar. Stir occasionally.

In a separate bowl, mix the butter, sugar, a pinch of salt, and the eggs. Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl and then add them to the egg mixture. Pour in the cream and stir until fully incorporated.

Pour half of the cake mix into the prepared pan. Add the poppy mixture into the center and top with the remaining batter. Bake for 40-45 minutes.