Poppy Seed-Lemon Twists

Serves: 2

Kirstin Bosco

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

46

Spice

49

Sweetness

51

Sourness

43

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.3

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 cup

Sugar

1 tbsp

Milk

1.5 tsps

Vanilla Extract

3 tsp

Salt

1 cup

Whole Milk

1 large

Egg Yolk

Directions:

1

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F

2

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper

3

Make the twists: On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 10-by-18-inch rectangle

4

Spread the poppy seed filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border on one of the long sides

5

Brush the clean border with water

6

Tightly roll the dough into an 18-inch log, rolling toward the clean border

7

Using a chef's knife, cut the log crosswise into 12 rounds, 1 1/2 inches wide each

8

Dampen your hands, then stretch and pat each round into an oval shape

9

Twist each oval in the middle to form a figure-eight shape

10

Place on the prepared baking sheets

11

Cover loosely with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until plump, 20 minutes

12

Uncover the dough and retwist, if necessary

13

Bake until golden, about 20 minutes, switching the position of the baking sheets halfway through

14

Transfer to racks and let cool slightly on the baking sheets

15

Make the glaze: Combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, lemon juice and zest, milk, vanilla and salt in a microwave-safe bowl

16

Cover with plastic wrap and microwave 45 seconds; stir until smooth

17

Brush on the twists

18

Warm 1/2 cup water and the milk in a saucepan over low heat until a thermometer registers 100 degrees F to 110 degrees F

19

Remove from the heat and sprinkle the yeast on top, then sprinkle with a pinch of the sugar; set aside, undisturbed, until foamy, about 5 minutes

20

Whisk the melted butter, egg yolk and vanilla into the yeast mixture until combined

21

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, the remaining sugar, the salt and nutmeg

22

Make a well in the center, then add the yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon to make a thick and slightly sticky dough

23

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until soft and elastic, about 6 minutes

24

Shape into a ball

25

Brush a large bowl with butter

26

Add the dough, turning to coat lightly with the butter

27

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until the dough is doubled in size, about 1 hour, 15 minutes

28

Turn the dough out of the bowl and knead briefly to release excess air; re-form into a ball and return to the bowl

29

Lightly butter a large piece of plastic wrap and lay it directly on the surface of the dough

30

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight