🇭🇺 Hungarian Fruit Squares – A Traditional Delight! 🍑🍒
Hungarian Fruit Squares are flaky, buttery pastries filled with sweet fruit preserves, making them a beloved dessert in Hungary. Whether you choose apricot, cherry, raspberry, or plum jam, this old-fashioned treat is a perfect balance of crisp and soft, sweet and tart. Serve these beauties for afternoon tea ☕, festive gatherings 🎉, or a comforting snack any time of the day!
🥄 Ingredients:
For the Dough:
🧈 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
🍚 1/2 cup granulated sugar
🥚 2 egg yolks
🥣 1/2 cup sour cream (adds tenderness!)
🌿 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🌾 3 cups all-purpose flour
🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt
🫧 1 teaspoon baking powder
For the Filling:
🍑 1 1/2 cups fruit preserves (apricot, cherry, raspberry, or plum)
🍋 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional but enhances the flavor!)
For the Topping:
🥚 1 egg (for egg wash, beaten)
❄️ Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
👩🍳 Instructions: Step by Step Perfection!
Step 1: Prepare the Dough 🏆
1️⃣ In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. This will create the perfect base for your delicate dough.
2️⃣ Using a pastry cutter or fork, work the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This step is key for a flaky texture!
3️⃣ Stir in the sugar, egg yolks, sour cream, and vanilla extract until a smooth dough forms.
4️⃣ Knead gently, wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and let it chill for 30 minutes. This makes rolling much easier! ⏳
Step 2: Assemble the Fruit Squares 🍑🍒
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2️⃣ Divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll out one half to fit the bottom of the baking dish and press it in evenly.
3️⃣ Spread fruit preserves over the dough, making sure to distribute it evenly. Sprinkle with lemon zest for an extra burst of freshness. 🍋
4️⃣ Roll out the second half of the dough and carefully place it over the filling, sealing the edges.
5️⃣ Brush the top with egg wash for that golden-brown, bakery-style crust. ✨