Opekanec facts for kids
Opekance are a delicious and traditional sweet dish from Slovakia. They are small, soft balls made from a special yeast dough. When they are baked, they are gently pressed together, making them easy to pull apart and enjoy. You might hear them called by other fun names too, like bobáľky, pupáky, pupáčiky, or pupáčky, depending on where you are in Slovakia!
A Special Christmas Treat
In Slovakia, opekance are a very popular food, especially during the Christmas season. They are often served as a traditional "fasting" food on Christmas Eve. This means they are eaten before the main Christmas feast.
People usually prepare opekance by pouring warm milk over them. Then, they add all sorts of tasty toppings! Common toppings include ground nuts, poppy seeds, or a soft dairy product called quark. These toppings are often mixed with sugar to make them sweet and extra yummy. Sometimes, instead of making the dough balls from scratch, people use sliced rolls as a quick and easy substitute.
How Opekance Are Made
Making opekance starts with a simple yeast dough, similar to what you might use for bread. The dough is shaped into small, round balls. These little balls are then baked until they are golden brown and soft. Once baked, they are ready to be served with milk and your favorite sweet sprinkles.
