Make the Most Amazing gluten-free Orange poppyseed cake!

This orange poppyseed cake is rich, and bold in flavor and it definitely won’t disappoint you if you suffer from a sweet tooth! In Christianity, the poppy is a symbol of harvest, fertility, and peaceful sleep!

orange poppyseed cake

Christmas Eve is the day I wait for all year round. It is not only about Santa Claus and gifts but also about the taste and smell of delicious dishes. These dishes are prepared once a year on this one and only special day. According to Polish tradition, there should be 12 of them.

Traditional orange poppyseed cake made Vegan

Orange poppyseed cake aka”Makowiec” is a cake that I associate with the Christmas season. That’s when I eat this cake most often. It can take the form: it could be a traditional round cake or an oval strudel. Each family has its own way of serving this cake. In my house, we eat it as a cake with shortcut pastry bottoms and icing on top. I mean my cake is loaded with poppy seeds, fruit, and nuts!

In my house, we cannot imagine the Holiday season without this orange poppyseed cake. Interestingly, eating this sweet delicacy during Christmas Eve dinner has a long tradition. According to folk beliefs, eating poppy seeds during the Christmas season was supposed to bring happiness and prosperity to the household. Additionally, poppy seeds appeared on our tables as a symbol of fertility and a good harvest.

Although today I do not attach so much importance to the symbolism of Christmas Eve dishes the tradition of eating poppy seed cake has remained, and there is no indication that it would not be continued! 😜

Where did the orange poppy seed cake come from?


This cake can be linked to apocryphal Christian legends according to which poppies grew out of the place where Jesus’ blood fell during the crucifixion. But the poppy seed was symbolically linked to beliefs about the afterlife also in pre-Christian times. The Slavs considered poppy seeds a substance that allowed them to cross the line between life and death. Makowiec also appears in the stories later in the story. For example, in 1681, the royal baker of Jan III Sobieski baked a poppy seed cake decorated with the image of the king’s beloved wife, Marysieńka. In turn, Stanisław August Poniatowski once received a poppy seed cake with a length of over 4 meters.

orange poppyseed cake

💡 Interesting fact

Old beliefs say that poppy seeds eaten on Christmas Eve are supposed to ensure happiness for the whole next year. Interestingly, it was once believed that “girls were spawning poppy seeds on Christmas Eve to get married soon”.

As you can see, the poppyseed cake is not only a delicious cake but also has other advantages. I recommend it to all girls looking for a significant other, as well as to people with sleep problems! Remember that Christmas does not count! 😁

This orange poppyseed cake is:

  • Rich
  • Bold if flavor
  • Deliciously sweet
  • Easy to make
  • VEGAN
  • Great Christmas dessert idea
  • Filled to the brim with fruit and nuts
orange poppyseed cake

Possible Supplies Needed:

Round cake form (20 cm diameter)
Baking paper
Ceramic balls, peas, or beans for baking blind
Pot for cooking poppy seed mixture
Cookie cutters for decoration
Sheets of baking paper

Ingredients you need to make this orange poppyseed cake

orange poppyseed cake

BASE

a mix of flour: millet flour, potato flour, rice flour, and flax seeds or you can use a ready-made gluten-free blend.

sugar – I use coconut sugar here but feel free to use regular sugar.

coconut oil – I use organic cold press oil.

apple cider vinegar – it will help the base to be lighter.

CAKE MIX

poppyseeds – I recommend using grounded seeds, otherwise you have to grind them yourself. Do not use whole seeds.

maple syrup – you can substitute it with honey if you want.

plant milk – I am using almond milk for that extra nutty flavor.

mixed dried fruit – I recommend cranberries, raisins, sultanas, and candied orange peel

mixed nuts – I recommend walnuts and almonds for this cake

rum – you can omit this part but it adds additional fantastic flavor to this cake!

Extra tips:

  • put the cut-out shapes in the fridge which will help with transferring them onto the cake. This is a gluten-free dough so it is very fragile.
  • put ceramic balls or peas or beans on top of the base as it will prevent this from rising too much.
  • when baking your whole cake I like to cover the cake with parchment paper to prevent the decoration from browning before the cake is done. At the last 5 min, I take it off to let them get brown.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Can I use a different type of flour?

Feel free to experiment with alternative gluten-free flours to suit your preferences.

Is it necessary to include rum in this orange poppyseed cake?

No, the rum is optional, and the recipe can be enjoyed without it.

Do I have to cook the poppy seeds?

Yes, it is an important step. This will soften your needs and remove the bitter taste

How do you grind poppy seeds for baking?

I simply use the coffee grinder. Do not use the whole seeds. You do need to grind them to break the other shell. That also helps to soften them when cooked and helps to create a uniform mix for the filling.

Other recipes you might like:

orange poppyseed cake

If you try this orange Poppyseed cake feel free to leave me a comment and a star rating. And if you share a photo of your orange and poppyseed cake creation on Instagram please tag me @_pronounced_ and use hashtag #_pronounced_ because I love seeing your remakes and I don’t want to miss your post! Happy cooking 🍽️!

Orange poppyseed cake

Orange poppyseed cake

longhanna
5 from 56 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert, Side Dish, sweet
Cuisine polish
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

bottom layer

  • cup millet flour (85 gram)
  • cup rice flour (45 gram)
  • ¼ cup potato flour (30 gram)
  • 1 tbsp flaxseed grounded
  • ½ cup coconut sugar (65 gram)
  • cup coconut oil (45 gram)
  • 1 tsp apple cider viniger
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 6 tbsp water

caka layer

  • 2 cups poppyseeds grounded (500 gram)
  • ½ cup maple syrup (250 ml)
  • 1 ½ cup plant milk (750 ml)
  • 1 cup mixed dried fruit (128 gram)
  • 1 cup mixed nuts (128 gram)
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil (15 ml)
  • 3 tbsp rum (45 ml)

icing (optional)

  • ½ cup ising sugar
  • 1 tbls soy cream

Instructions
 

  • Prepare round form with a diameter of 20 cm lining it with baking paper.
  • Preheat your oven to 180°C.
  • Put all of your flour, sugar and salt into the bowl. Add coconut oil and knead the crumble. Then add vinegar and water and knead the whole thing.( We set aside 2 tablespoons of dough for decoration) – If you have a food processor you can do what I did and all of it in and blitz till all comes together!
  • Transfer the remaining amount to a form lined with paper and press it carefully. Cover with baking paper and load with ceramic balls or peas or beans.
  • Bake in an oven preheated to 180 ° C for 15 minutes. Then we take the form out of the oven, remove the load and bake the cake for another 10-15 minutes.
  • Put the poppy seeds into a pot and pour over the milk. Cook over low heat, stirring. Add dry fruit, crushed nuts, orange zest, maple syrup, rum and coconut oil.
  • I cook the whole thing for about 30 minutes. Leave the ready mass to cool down.
  • Roll the remaining amount of dough into a thin cake between two sheets of baking paper.
  • Use cookie cutters to cut out the desired shapes and put them in the fridge for a few minutes. Put the poppy seed mass on the baked cake.
  • Decorate with prepared shapes. Bake the dough for about 20 minutes. Take it out of the oven and let it cool.
  • If you want to add the icing just mix the icing sugar with soy milk till you have nice and smooth consistency. Pour it over your cake
  • ENJOY! it is delicious! 😁🤤

Notes

 
 
Keyword christmas cakeasy cake, christmas dish, christmas vibes, easy vegan christmas recipes, orange cake, orange poppyseed cake, poppyseed, poppyseed cake, poppyseed recipes, poppyseeds, simple cake recipe, simple dessert, simple vegan christmas, vegan cake, vegan christmas dish
Tried this recipe? ❤ Love to see your creations!Mention @_pronounced_ on Instagram or tag #_pronounced_!

IF YOU HAVE PINTEREST YOU CAN FIND ME HERE AND PIN THE PICTURE BELOW IF YOU WANT 😁⬇️

orange poppyseed cake

21 Comments

  1. Jon
    December 23, 2021 / 5:52 pm

    Oh wow, not only does this look delicious but I love how much detail you’ve provided and it’s interesting to know the story behind the food too! Can’t wait to try and make it. Thankyou!

    • longhanna
      Author
      December 27, 2021 / 10:56 am

      Thank you, Jon 🙂 I love learning about the ingredients 🙂

  2. Jimmy Clare
    December 23, 2021 / 7:23 pm

    this looks so delicious

    • longhanna
      Author
      December 27, 2021 / 10:55 am

      It was a hit with my teenagers in the house 🙂

  3. December 24, 2021 / 12:23 am

    Thank you for sharing this recipe. A great gluten-free option, it looks delicious!

    • longhanna
      Author
      December 27, 2021 / 10:54 am

      It was a hit in my house this year 🙂

  4. December 24, 2021 / 6:22 am

    5 stars
    Lovely! This cake looks so moist and delicious. Will definitely try this

  5. Chanel
    December 27, 2021 / 12:55 pm

    This looks absolutely delicious! I must give this a try for New Years Eve, thanks for sharing 🙂

    • longhanna
      Author
      December 30, 2021 / 5:27 pm

      Thanks! Let me know if you do 🙂

  6. January 9, 2022 / 10:00 am

    5 stars
    This looks very tasty!

    • longhanna
      Author
      January 11, 2022 / 7:03 pm

      thank you 🙂 is our favourite Christmas cake

  7. Ellie
    November 21, 2023 / 12:42 am

    5 stars
    I loved the flavor and the smell of this cake! I’ve just added it to my Christmas menu! Quick question though, do have any suggestions for a rum alternative in the recipe? I want to make it again but without the rum.

    • longhanna
      Author
      December 9, 2023 / 3:36 pm

      Hi Ellie :)Firstly thank yo for trying the recipe 🙂 Second the rum can be replaced with Apple juice or white grape juice, howevereven hese options will add sweetness and moisture, just rememebr they won’t add the depth of flavor that rum has.

  8. Mary
    November 21, 2023 / 5:29 am

    5 stars
    I made this for a trial run before the holidays and it was a hit! My family loved the fruity flavor and I love that it’s vegan! Shh…don’t tell them, lol. I will make this for Christmas, for sure!

    • longhanna
      Author
      December 9, 2023 / 3:31 pm

      Ah I am delighted you have tried and liked the recipe. Thank you for sharing your experience.

  9. Jane
    November 21, 2023 / 9:05 am

    5 stars
    Moist, with just the right amount of citrus zing! Will make this again for my next brunch hosting. Thanks for this recipe!

    • longhanna
      Author
      December 9, 2023 / 3:30 pm

      Ah I am delighted to hear that you will share this cake with others again 🙂 Thank you for trying this recipe

  10. Gail
    November 21, 2023 / 9:38 am

    5 stars
    This looked really good so I was tempted to try it. The flavors did not disappoint! Definitely going to keep this recipe to make again.

    • longhanna
      Author
      December 9, 2023 / 3:29 pm

      Thank you so much for trying the recipe 🙂

  11. November 21, 2023 / 3:55 pm

    5 stars
    This is a delicious recipe and I loved that it was gluten-free so that I could share with my entire family. Also, VERY interesting about the poppy seed lore!

  12. November 22, 2023 / 2:19 am

    5 stars
    This orange poppyseed cake sounds amazing! I love the ingredients and how delicious it sounds!

5 from 56 votes (48 ratings without comment)

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