Poppy Seed Crescent Rolls (Czech Loupacky)
Yeast-dough rolls called Loupacky or Makovky are a traditional sweet treat in the Czech Republic. Crescent in shape, these pastries are sprinkled with poppy seeds. The finest way to enjoy a freshly baked batch of Loupacky is with some butter and a steaming mug of cocoa.
Servings 12 pieces
Calories 233kcal
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 and ¼ cups milk lukewarm
- 2 and ½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg yolk
For finishing:
- 1 egg for egg wash
- 2 Tablespoons poppy seeds to sprinkle
Instructions
- Make yeast starter: In a small saucepan, warm a cup of milk until it is just lukewarm (about 115 °F). Then, add a teaspoon of sugar and 2 and ½ teaspoons active dry yeast. Let this mixture sit in a warm spot until it activates; you will notice a foamy mass with bubbles forming on the surface.
- Make yeast dough: Pour 4 cups all-purpose flour into the bowl, add the rest of the lukewarm milk, including the blooming starter, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, and 1 egg yolk. Mix briefly. Add 1 stick unsalted butter softened at room temperature and ½ teaspoon salt. Knead into a soft, smooth dough.
- Let it rise: Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. Depending on environmental conditions, it takes between an hour and an hour and a half.
- Briefly knead the raised dough and divide in half. Form each half into a ball. On a lightly floured work surface, roll one dough ball into a round, flat shape about ⅙ inch (4 mm) thick. Cut into six triangles; I used a plastic dough cutter.
- Shape crescent rolls: Roll out each triangle even more with a rolling pin. To make the crescents, begin at the wide end of a triangle and roll to the point. Once the point is tucked under the roll, just bend the roll into a curved crescent form.
- Grease a cookie sheet with a solid fat (unsalted butter or Crisco) and place the crescent rolls on the sheet. Be sure to leave at least 1 ½ inches (4 cm) of space between the rolls. Repeat with the other half of the dough. Cover the sheet of rolls with a clean tea towel and place it in a warm place for a second rise for 40 minutes.
- Whisk 1 egg in a bowl with a fork and brush the egg wash over the rolls on all sides. Then sprinkle their surface with poppy seeds.
- Let's bake! Bake in a
350 °F preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, until their surface turns golden.
Notes
- The basic recipe makes 12 Loupáčky crescent rolls.
- SERVING: Czech Loupáčky rolls make the perfect breakfast any day of the week. With a cup of hot cocoa and some unsalted butter or jam on top, these crescent rolls are the perfect treat for a lazy weekend morning in bed.
- How long will homemade crescent rolls keep? These rolls taste best the same day they are baked. If you have any leftovers, place them in a resealable plastic bag after they have completely cooled. They will last about three days.
- FREEZING: Loupáčky freeze very well. Once completely cooled, place them in a resealable bag suitable for the freezer and put in the freezer. They will last for about three months.
Nutrition
Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg