Sweet, honey-coated poppy seed cookies from Jewish Polish cuisine, once popular and tied to the Purim celebration.

Makagigi, also known as Makagiga, are honey and poppy seed cookies that once graced Polish Jewish kitchens. Made from simple ingredients like honey, poppy seeds, almonds, or crushed nuts, these sweet treats were often compared to sesame brittle. They were particularly popular up until the early 20th century.

Origins and Recipe

The name’s origin remains mysterious, though Yiddish is thought to be the source. One of the earliest recipes for Makagigi appeared in an 1885 cookbook by Lucyna Ćwierczakiewiczowa. It describes cooking poppy seeds in honey until caramelized, then cutting the mixture into pieces once cooled. The treat was associated with the Jewish celebration of Purim, where it was traditionally made using nuts, honey, and poppy seeds.

A Versatile Treat

Variations of Makagigi evolved over time, including “Tłuczeńce,” made with rye flour, nuts, orange zest, and spices. Though largely forgotten, these confections were once a staple of Polish Jewish cuisine.