Slovak Christmas Eve Bobalky
Celebrate tradition and flavor with Slovak Christmas Eve Bobalky, a beloved holiday dish rich in symbolism and taste. This sweet and comforting recipe features tender, golden bread balls soaked briefly in boiling water, then lovingly coated in warm honey and sprinkled with earthy ground poppy seeds. Perfect for festive gatherings, this dish is a cornerstone of Slovak Christmas Eve dinners, blending simple pantry staples like flour, yeast, and sugar with luscious honey and aromatic poppy seeds. With its perfect balance of soft texture and sweet nuttiness, bobalky offers a delightful connection to heritage while being an irresistible treat for all. Whether served as a centerpiece dessert or a nostalgic side dish, this recipe will fill your table with warmth and tradition.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 1.25 cups Warm water
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 0.5 cup Honey
- 0.5 cup Ground poppy seeds
- 0.5 cup Boiling water
Instructions
In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in 1/4 cup of the warm water and let it rest for 5 minutes until frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt.
Add the yeast mixture, the remaining 1 cup of warm water, and the vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into small, marble-sized pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart, and let them rest for 10 minutes.
Bake the dough balls for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely.
Place the cooled bread balls in a large bowl and pour boiling water over them. Let them soak for 1-2 minutes, then drain and squeeze out the excess water gently.
In a small saucepan, heat the honey until warm and slightly runny.
Pour the honey over the soaked bread balls and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the ground poppy seeds over the honey-coated bread balls and mix until well combined.
Serve the bobalky warm or at room temperature as part of your Christmas Eve dinner or as a festive dessert.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2858 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 80.0 g | 103% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.7 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2407 mg | 105% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 480.0 g | 175% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 36.1 g | 129% | |
| Total Sugars | 128.4 g | ||
| Protein | 68.1 g | 136% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1777 mg | 137% | |
| Iron | 32.0 mg | 178% | |
| Potassium | 1512 mg | 32% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
