Bobalki (Sweet Dough Balls)
Bobalki are small, soft, sweet dough balls traditionally served with a glaze of honey and ground poppy seeds. They are a popular treat, especially around Christmas, and can also be prepared in a savory version with sauerkraut and onion.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Lukewarm water
- 3 tbsp Sugar(divided)
- 2 tsp Salt
- 5 tbsp Vegetable oil or butter
- 2 packages Active dry yeast((about 4.5 tsp))
- 6 cups All-purpose flour(plus more for dusting)
- 1 cup Honey
- 1/2 cup Poppy seeds(ground)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of the lukewarm water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, salt, and oil (or butter). Heat gently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is lukewarm. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the remaining 1 cup of lukewarm water with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the flour. Add the lukewarm water mixture and the activated yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1.5-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- 3
Punch down the dough and divide it into 20 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball between your palms.
- 4
Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, with sides touching. Cover and let them rise for another 1-1.5 hours until nearly doubled.
- 5
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bobalki for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- 6
While the bobalki are baking, gently heat the honey in a small pot. Stir in the ground poppy seeds. Simmer for a minute, then remove from heat.
- 7
Once the bobalki are baked and slightly cooled, break them apart if they've stuck together during baking. Place them in a large bowl. Pour the warm honey-poppy seed mixture over the bobalki and toss gently to coat. Serve warm.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the water for the yeast is lukewarm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
- ✓For a softer texture, you can briefly steam the baked bobalki before coating them in the honey-poppy seed mixture.
- ✓If you don't have ground poppy seeds, you can grind them yourself in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
🔄 Variations
- For a savory version, omit the honey and poppy seeds. Instead, toss the baked bobalki with sautéed onions and sauerkraut.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or a bit of lemon zest to the honey glaze for extra flavor.