Bobalky Christmas Eve Bread

Celebrate tradition and flavor with Bobalky Christmas Eve Bread, a cherished Slovak holiday dish that combines soft, golden bread bites with the luxurious sweetness of honey and the earthy crunch of poppy seeds. This recipe begins with a tender, yeast-risen dough, baked to perfection in bite-sized pieces that are then tossed in warmed honey and infused with delicate poppy seeds for a beautifully balanced finish. Perfect for festive gatherings, this comforting dish not only honors age-old customs but also brings a touch of nostalgia to your holiday table. Whether served as a centerpiece or alongside other Christmas Eve staples, Bobalky is a delightful way to share tradition with loved ones.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:180 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:210 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Milk
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 Egg
• 0.25 cup Warm water
• 0.5 cup Honey
• 0.5 cup Poppy seeds
• 1 cup Boiling water

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar in 1/4 cup of warm water. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter until the butter is melted. Let it cool until lukewarm.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar, and salt. Mix to incorporate the dry ingredients evenly.

Step 4

Add the yeast mixture, lukewarm milk mixture, and the egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.

Step 5

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 6

Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 7

After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into small pieces (about the size of walnuts). Roll them into small balls.

Step 8

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 9

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are not touching, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 10

While the bread is baking, prepare the poppy seed mixture by combining the poppy seeds and 1 cup of boiling water in a bowl. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Step 11

Once the bread has finished baking, let it cool slightly. Then, transfer the bread balls to a large bowl.

Step 12

Heat the honey in a small saucepan over low heat until it becomes thin and pourable.

Step 13

Drizzle the honey over the bread balls, then add the drained poppy seeds. Toss gently to coat all the bread evenly.

Step 14

Serve warm or at room temperature as part of your Christmas Eve meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1320.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3038.4

Total Fat 80.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 35.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.9g
Cholesterol 342.0mg	0%
Sodium 2586.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 514.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.4g	0%
Total Sugars 137.0g
Protein 73.8g	0%

Vitamin D 155.4IU	0%
Calcium 928.4mg	0%
Iron 27.4mg	0%
Potassium 1429.1mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.5%

Protein: 9.6%

Carbs: 66.9%