Christmas poppyseed cake
Christmas poppyseed cake differs from the everyday kind not only because the cake layers are thin and the poppyseed layers thicker, but also because the filling made from poppy seed is prepared with a true Polish generosity that is far from frugal.
Old Polish traditions
yeast cake Roll out thinly on a floured board into a rectangle, cover with egg white, spread filling evenly. Roll up tightly, pressing well on the ends, not rolling them under. Leave to rise in buttered pan. Bake in moderate oven 45-50 minutes. After cooling, cover with lemon icing
6oz castor sugar     cream Knead well, cover with cloth, leave to rise 1 hour
6oz butter  
1 egg     add gradually
2 egg yolks  
1/2 cup milk dissolve
1 1/2 oz yeast
pinch salt  
12oz flour     mix in
1 egg white  
lemon icing  
poppyseed filling
4oz almonds grind coarsely   melt
6oz raisins  
6oz butter  
3/4 cup honey  
vanilla  
1/2 cup candied peel chop finely
1 3/4 pt milk boil cook barely simmering 30 minutes, drain, put through meat grinder with finest sieve 4 times   fry 15 minutes, mixing often; cool
1 lb poppy seeds wash
4 tablespoons brandy     add
1 cup sugar beat
4 egg yolks
4 egg whites beat stiffly   mix in
The poppy seeds really do need to be properly mashed. Also, the dough should be stiff enough that it doesn't sag all over the place.