Polish Poppyseed Roll {Makowiec}

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1. 1Step 1: Place raisins in hot water (or rum, whiskey or brandy) and set aside to soak.
2. 2Step 2: Warm milk slightly, add yeast and sugar and set aside in a warm spot for 10 min. Melt butter and set aside to cool slightly.
3. 3Step 3: To make dough, place flour in a mixing bowl. Whisk egg and yolks and add to flour. Add milk / sugar / yeast mixture and start combining. Add melted butter and work to combine all ingredients. Add a few tablespoons of milk if dough is too dry. Dough should have consistency of playdough - not sticky but pliable. Once a dough ball is formed, cover and set aside in a warm place for at least 1 hour, until it doubles in size.
4. 4Step 4: To make filling, place poppyseeds in a pot, add boiling water and soak for 10 minutes, then boil for 20–25 minutes. Add a bit more water if they get dry, enough to cover. Drain well. Once they cool slightly you will have to put them through a meat grinder with the fine grinding plate - TWICE.
5. 5Step 5: In a large skillet or a pot, heat butter, add ground up poppyseeds, sugar, honey, drained raisins and mix well. Heat through and mix until sugar is dissolved. Add crushed walnuts and mix. Set aside to cool.
6. 6Step 6: Whisk egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff. Add to poppyseed mixture and fold in gently.
7. 7Step 7: Once the dough rises, divide in half. Roll out each half into a rectangular shape (12 x 9 inch / 30 x 25 centimeter). Place rolled out dough onto parchment paper large enough to go around your roll twice. Place half of the filling on the first rectangle leaving a bit of space on each side. Roll starting from the wider edge, pinching the ends together as you go along. Wet the edge with water or egg white for a better seal.
8. 8Step 8: Once rolled, make sure to leave on parchment paper with the long seam down. Roll parchment paper around the poppyseed roll twice, leaving space for the roll to 'grow' (about 3/4 inch / 2 centimeters). Make sure the end of the paper is under the roll. Set aside in a warm place to rise for about 30–45 minutes.
9. 9Step 9: Do the same with the second roll.
10. 10Step 10: When ready to bake, heat oven to 350°F / 180°C. Place rolls wrapped in paper in hot oven and bake for 40–50 minutes. Remove and cool.
11. 11Step 11: To make glaze, mix powdered sugar with lemon juice. Add hot water one teaspoon at a time and whisk to combine. It should make a thick paste. If it comes out too watery, add more powdered sugar. Spoon onto each roll. Sprinkle with orange peel or almond shavings. Let set.