Kutia: Wheat Berry Pudding with Compote
Kutya (or kutia) is a festive Christmas Eve dish popular in Ukraine, Poland, and many other Central and Eastern European countries. Made with wheat, poppy seeds, honey, and nuts or dried fruit, it symbolizes warmth, family, and tradition.
For many, kutia represents family, love, and cherished memories of gathering around the table during the holidays. The sweetness of honey and the richness of walnuts or raisins bring comfort and joy with every bite.
Whether enjoyed at Christmas or on other special occasions, kutia is more than just food — it’s a symbol of togetherness, peace, and the celebration of heritage. Enjoy this authentic kutia recipe below.
Authentic Kutya | Kutia (Sweet Wheat Berry Pudding with Compote)
Ingredients
- 340 g wheat berries
- 100 g poppy seeds
- 100 g walnuts
- 100 g raisins
- 2-3 tbsp honey
For the compot (uzvar):
- 200 g dried apples and pears
- 150 g prunes
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1.5 l water
Instructions
- Soak the wheat: For best results, soak wheat berries overnight in cold water. For a quicker method, soak in hot water 1–2 hours before cooking. Drain, add fresh water, and simmer until tender but slightly chewy (about 40 minutes). Drain well.
- Prepare the poppy seeds: While the wheat is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Pour water over the poppy seeds, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and cover with a lid. Let the poppy seeds steep for 40-60 minutes. Drain the poppy seeds in a sieve to remove excess water. You can then grind the poppy seeds in a mortar or pass them through a blender. I personally prefer to ground the poppy seeds in a coffee grinder.
- Prepare other ingredients: Soak the raisins in hot water for 30 minutes. Break walnuts into small pieces and lightly toast in a dry pan.
- Make the compot (uzvar): If you've never tried Eastern European fruit compete, it resembles a concentrated, highly flavorful fruit drink. To make the compote, pour 1.5 liters (6 ⅓ cups) of water over the dried fruits and prunes and add sugar. Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in honey, cover, and let steep.
- Assemble the kutya: In a large bowl, combine cooked wheat, ground poppy seeds, raisins, and walnuts. Sweeten with honey to taste. Add about 2 cups of uzvar for desired consistency (more or less to taste).
- Serve: Traditionally served at room temperature.
Notes
Related: Oplatki
Related: Ukrainian Cheesecake Casserole
Related: Traditional Ukrainian Borscht with Chicken
Related: Potato Varenyky: Ukrainian Potato Dumplings
Related: Syrniki with Blueberries
