Ukraine is famous for its delicious fruits and vegetables. Being one of the biggest importers of apples in Europe, we have perfected our recipes containing apples,so one of the most popular apple recipe we would like to share with you today.
Ukrainian apple squares are a rich pastry dessert with a top and bottom crust and baked apples in the center, much like a square apple pie. Like Hungarian apple strudel, Ukrainian apple squares are traditionally made around the holidays to make use of the stored apples that have become too soft for eating. Since most of us buy our apples at the store whenever we want them, this Ukrainian dessert can be made and enjoyed at any time. Although very tasty, Ukrainian apple squares are best served in small quantities, due to the richness of the pastry.
Prep time: 30 mins, Cooking time: 1 hour, Total: 1 hour 30 mins
· 1 3/4 cup flour
· 2 tsp. baking powder
· 1/2 cup sugar
· 2 eggs
· 1 cup sour cream
· 1/2 cup of butter at room temperature
· 1 tsp. vanilla
· four to six apples
· 1/2 cup dates (optional)
· 1/4 cup sugar
· 1 tsp. cinnamon
· Powdered sugar for decoration (optional)
Directions:
- Mix the diced apples with the dates, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 tsp. of cinnamon.
- Mix the flour, 1/2 cup sugar and baking powder in a medium-sized bowl.
- Cut in the butter with two knives or a pastry cutter, like you would do with a pie crust. The resulting mixture would look like small peas.
- Combine the sour cream, eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly incorporated.
- Spread roughly half the pastry dough in the bottom of your greased baking pan.
- Bake the bottom pastry in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- Remove the pan from the oven.
- Spread the apple mixture over the bottom crust.
- Spread the rest of the pastry dough over the apples, making sure to cover them entirely.
- Put the baking pan back in the oven and cook at 350 degrees F for another 30 to 35 minutes. The top should be golden brown around the edges.
- Cut the pastry into 16 squares.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if you wish. The pastry is sweet enough without it.
Enjoy!