Szarlotka

I am happy to have a fitting post to share on Pi day! 🙂

Dorie Greenspan described this Polish dessert as a “combination of a cake, a crumble, and a torte.” After reading this in her book, I expected something different. I would describe it as a fruit-packed deep dish pie.

Because I served it warm, the slices had a little bit of trouble keeping their shape! Ice cream was not an essential accompaniment, but we preferred it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The recipe was adapted from Baking with Dorie: Sweet, Salty, & Simple by Dorie Greenspan. Next time I would add some cinnamon and nutmeg to the filling.

The original recipe includes ideas for variations in the filling including mixing pears with the apples and using dried cherries or dried cranberries instead of raisins. Toasted nuts would also be delicious in the filling.

Yield: One 9-inch pie (serves 8 to 10)

For the Crust:

• 306 g (2 1/4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 150 g (3/4 cup) granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 11 T (5 1/2 oz / 155 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cold large egg
• 1 cold large egg white

For the Filling:

• 3 pounds (1.3 kg) sweet apples, such as Fuji or Gala, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 67 g (1/3 cup / 5 T) packed light brown sugar (or more, to taste)
• 1 1/2 T all-purpose flour
• 160 g (1 cup) moist, plump raisins, preferably golden
• cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or allspice, to taste, optional
• freshly squeezed lemon juice, to taste (I used 1/2 a large lemon)

To Serve:

• confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
• ice cream or whipped cream, for serving, optional

To Make the Crust:

1. Butter a 9-inch springform pan. Place the prepared pan on a parchment paper-lined, rimmed baking sheet.
2. Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a food processor and pulse to blend.
3. Drop in the pieces of butter and pulse, about 15 times, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl a couple to times. The mixture should resemble crumbs.
4. Lightly beat the egg and egg white; add to the flour mixture in 3 additions, pulsing after each. Scrape the bowl as needed. The mixture should form moist clumps and curds.
5. Turn the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap and gather it together.
6. Remove 1/3 of the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and place it in the freezer. (This dough will be used for the topping.)
7. Shape the remaining dough into a ball, flatten it and sandwich it between sheets of parchment paper.
8. Roll the dough into a round about 14-inches in diameter. Peel the parchment back intermittently to make sure it’s not creasing the dough. (The round will be about 1/8-inch thick.)
9. Place the dough (still between the parchment sheets) on a flat surface and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
10. After chilling, transfer the dough to the springform pan. Gently press it against the bottom and up the sides, patching and folding if necessary. Trim the top even with the pan.
11. Place the pan/crust in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.

To Make the Filling:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. (I set my oven to the convection setting.)
2. Toss the chopped apples, brown sugar, flour, and raisins in a large bowl and mix to coat the apples with sugar and flour. Add the spices at this time as well, if using.
3. Mix in the lemon juice; mix.
4. Taste a piece of apple and adjust the sweetness and/or spices, to taste. Let rest for 5 minutes and mix again.
5. Place the dough-lined pan on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Scoop the filling into the crust, including any juices that have accumulated in the bowl.
7. Remove the chunk of dough from the freezer and, using the large holes of a box grater, grate the frozen dough. Intermittently stop and sprinkle the pieces over the top of the apples.
8. Bake the pie for 40 minutes.
9. Tent it loosely with foil and bake another 25 minutes or so, until the top is golden brown and, most importantly, the juices are bubbling up thorough the top crust. (I baked it for an additional 35 minutes once tented but would add even more time next time- the apples could have been even more tender.)
10. Transfer the szarlotka, on the baking sheet, to a rack and let rest for 20 minutes.
11. Gently run a table knife between the pie and the sides of the pan and remove the sides of the springform pan.
12. Let the pie cool until it’s just warm or reaches room temperature.

To Serve:

1. Dust the pie with confectioners’ sugar.
2. Slice the pie using a serrated knife using a sawing motion.
3. Serve with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream, if desired- I recommend it!

Note: The szarlotka is best the day it is made. To store it you can keep it covered at room temperature for one day or refrigerate it for a second day.

Savory Butternut Squash Crumble

This is another lovely seasonal side dish. I received a lot of butternut squash in my CSA share this season and kept looking for new ways to enjoy it. 🙂

This recipe was adapted from My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories by David Lebovitz. I modified the proportions. It would be a great side to serve as part of a Thanksgiving feast.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish

For the Squash Filling:

• 1 T unsalted or salted butter
• 1 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 to 2 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced into 3/4-inch (2 cm) cubes
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup peeled and thinly sliced shallots (I used 1 large shallot)
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) chicken stock or vegetable stock
• 1 T finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

For the Topping:

• 1/4 cup plus 2 T (52.5g) fresh or dried bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup (35g) stone-ground cornmeal or polenta
• 1/4 cup (22.5g/.75oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 T minced fresh sage leaves
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp sea salt or Kosher salt
• 2 T (1oz/27.5g) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 1 large egg

1. Preheat the oven to 375˚F (190˚C), preferably on convection.
2. Generously butter a shallow 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish with softened butter. (I used a round ceramic baking dish.)

Make the Filling:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the squash and thyme. Season with salt and pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the squash pieces begin to brown on several sides.
3. Add the shallots and cook for another few minutes, until they’re softened.
4. Add the stock and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring, to reduce the stock a bit and heat everything through.
5. Scrape the squash mixture into the prepared baking dish; stir in the parsley. Press the mixture into a relatively even layer.
6. Cover the dish snugly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, until the squash is pretty soft when poked with a paring knife or fork.

Make the Topping:

1. While the squash is baking, combine the bread crumbs, cornmeal, Parmesan, sage, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. (Alternatively, the topping can be made by hand in a large bowl, using a pastry blender.)
2. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture is crumbly and the butter is completely incorporated.
3. Add the egg and pulse a few more times until the mixture just starts clumping together in bits.

To Finish the Dish:

1. Remove the squash from the oven, remove the foil, and cover with the topping.
2. Decrease the oven temperature to 350˚F (180˚C) ad return the dish to the oven.
3. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the top is golden brown, and serve.

Note: If doubling the recipe, use 1 egg.

Lighter Pear Crumble

By using maple syrup and brown sugar as sweeteners as well as whole wheat pastry flour, oats and almonds in the topping, this recipe succeeds as a lighter version of this classic comfort food dessert. We indulged a little and ate it with vanilla ice cream, of course. 😉 Without the ice cream, this dish could actually be served for breakfast.

This recipe was adapted from The Washington Post, contributed by nutritionist and cookbook author Ellie Krieger. Lovely.

Yield: 8 servings

For the Topping:

• 1/4 cup canola oil or other neutral-tasting oil
• 1/2 cup plus 1 T almond meal or slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour (whole wheat flour may be substituted)
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp coarse salt

For the Filling:

• 3 pounds ripe but firm pears, peeled, cored, cut into 1/4-inch slices (I used 6 Bartlett pears)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• freshly squeezed juice from 1/2 of a lemon
• 1 T cornstarch
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, preferably on convection.
2. Spray a 10×9-inch (can also use an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch) baking dish with cooking oil spray, or brush lightly with oil.

To Make the Topping:

1. If using slivered almonds, process them in a food processor until finely ground; alternatively use almond meal. Transfer to a medium bowl.
2. Add the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt to the ground almonds.
3. Drizzle the mixture with 1/4 canola oil; stir until well incorporated. Set aside.

To Make the Filling & Finish the Dish:

1. Combine the pears, maple syrup and lemon juice in a large bowl.
2. Sprinkle the fruit mixture with the cornstarch, cinnamon and ginger; stir until the pears are evenly coated.
3. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
4. Crumble the topping over the pears.
5. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until bubbling and the topping is lightly browned.
6. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with ice cream, if desired.

Skillet Graham Cake with Peaches & Blueberries

I have been looking for an excuse to make this skillet cake since last summer. Graham crackers… peaches and blueberries… streusel topping… and baked in a cast iron skillet? Irresistible. I finally had to make it after having too many ripe peaches on the counter. 😉 What an excuse!

This recipe was adapted from Food and Wine, contributed by Chicago chef Stephanie Izard. (I have loved her since she won Top Chef.) The cake is baked on the grill in the original recipe. Delicious!

Yield: Serves 10 to 12

For the Streusel:

• 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (from 7 whole crackers)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Fruit:

• 3 large peaches, each cut into 1-inch wedges (I used 4 medium white peaches)
• 3/4 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

For the Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup fine graham cracker crumbs (from 4 whole crackers)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 stick plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Make the Streusel:

1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, beat all of the ingredients together at medium speed until crumbs form.
2. Press together to form a large mass.
3. Transfer to 
a bowl and break into clumps.
4. Refrigerate until chilled, about 15 minutes.

Prepare the Fruit:

1. Preheat an oven to  300° F, preferably on convection.
2. In a medium bowl, toss the peaches with the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch.
3. In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from the heat.
4. Scrape the fruit and any juices into the skillet.

Make the Cake:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk both flours with the graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt.
2. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter with both sugars and the honey at medium speed until fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the buttermilk, oil and vanilla.
4. Scrape down the side of the bowl and beat in the dry ingredients until just smooth.
5. Spread the batter in the skillet in an even layer.
6. Scatter the streusel evenly on top.
7. Place the skillet on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, until 
a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. (The cake is cooked off of the heat in a grill for the same amount of time in the original recipe.)
8. Let the cake cool for 1 hour. Cut into wedges and serve with vanilla ice cream.

I’m bringing my special skillet cake to share at Angie’s Fiesta Friday #184, co-hosted by Jhuls @The Not so Creative Cook and Petra @ Food Eat Love. Enjoy!

One Year Ago:

• Blueberry & Corn Crisp

Two Years Ago:

• Old-Fashioned Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp
• Fourth of July S’mores Bars with Marshmallow Meringue

Three Years Ago:

• Fourth of July Blueberry Pie
• Blackberry-Raspberry Hand Pies

Four Years Ago:

• Peach & Pecan Sandy Crumble
• White Peach & Raspberry Cobbler with Butter Biscuits

Peach and Pecan Sandy Crumble

My dad LOVED pecan sandy cookies. That flavor shines in this dish- I have such a positive association. 🙂  I used half white peaches (my favorite) and half yellow peaches. This crumble is HUGE and feeds a crowd- but this recipe could easily be cut in half, if desired. It was GREAT eaten warm with vanilla ice cream on the side. This recipe is from smittenkitchen.com.

Serves: 12

For the Pecan Sandy Topping:

• 1 cup raw pecans
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons Turbinado sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon table salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Filling:

• 3 1/2 to 4 pounds peaches (I used half white peaches and half yellow peaches)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• A couple pinches of coarse salt

Make topping:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the nuts out in one layer on a baking sheet and bake them, stirring occasionally, until they are well browned, 10 to 13 minutes (they will smell toasted and nutty but keep an eye on them towards the end so yours do not burn). Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool. (In a pinch unsalted, pre-roasted pecans can be substituted.)
2. In a food processor, coarsely chop 1/4 cup of cooled pecans, then set them aside in a small dish. Put remaining pecans (3/4 cup) in food processor along with about one-quarter of your flour and grind the nuts until they’re as powdery as possible. Add the remaining flour, powdered sugar, coarse sugar, salt, baking powder and pulse the machine two or three times, just to combine. Add melted butter and vanilla. Pulse this together until small and large clumps form. Stir in coarsely chopped pecans. Refrigerate until needed.

Make filling:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Halve and pit your peaches, then cut them into chunks, smaller if they’re firm, large ones if the peaches are already soft. In the bottom of 3- to 4-quart (a 9×13, such as a deep lasagna pan, works here) ovenproof baking dish, toss the peach chunks with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. (If making half a recipe, bake it in an 8×8, 9×9 or other 2-quart baking dish.)
2. Remove topping from refrigerator and cover fruit thickly and evenly with topping. Bake until crumble topping is golden brown in places and fruit is bubbling and begins to creep up over the topping a little, about 40 (in a convection oven) to 50 minutes.
3. Let cool slightly before serving, ideally with vanilla ice cream.