Cooking Class: Croatian Poppy Seed Roll recipe

Step one: In small microwaveable bowl or saucepan, warm milk. In separate bowl, dissolve 1 tsp (5 mL) of the sugar in 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the warm milk. Sprinkle in yeast; let stand for 20 minutes or until frothy.

Meanwhile, stir butter and remaining sugar into remaining milk; heat until butter is melted. Let cool to lukewarm.

In large bowl, whisk 2-1/2 cups (625 mL) of the flour, lemon rind and salt. Make well in centre; add eggs, milk mixture and yeast mixture. With wooden spoon, stir to form soft, slightly sticky dough that comes away from side of bowl.

Step two: Turn out onto floured surface; knead for 2 minutes or until smooth, adding enough of the remaining flour as necessary. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease all over. Cover and let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.