Szarlotka: Polish apple pie with a crispy topping

Name: Szarlotka: Polish apple pie with a crispy topping
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: 9
Cuisine: En
Ingredients: 2¾ cups all-purpose flour; 13 tbsp cold butter; ½ cup white sugar; 1 egg; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 pinch salt; 2.2 lb whole apples; ¼ cup brown sugar; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp breadcrumbs, optional

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Dessert

Very Easy

2 h 40 m

444 Kcal

This traditional Polish apple pie, known as Szarlotka, is everything we love about homemade baking. Tender, juicy apples are wrapped in buttery pastry and topped with a golden, crumbly crust that adds the perfect crunch to every bite. Comforting, fragrant and full of flavor, this classic Polish treat is perfect for anyone who loves homemade desserts. Enjoy it with a cup of coffee, as an afternoon snack or as a sweet ending to a family meal.

Materials

Bowl
Grater
Knife
Saucepan
Baking paper
20 cm x 20 cm square baking pan

Preparation

Preparation20 min

Waiting time1 h 30 m

Cook time50 min

For the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add the cold butter in pieces and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture has a sandy texture.
Add the egg and mix without overworking the dough.
The dough should be smooth.
Set aside 2/3 of the dough for the base and 1/3 for the topping. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the larger portion and freeze the smaller portion for 20–30 minutes.
For the apples: peel them and remove the cores.
Coarsely grate about 70% of the apples and dice the rest into small cubes.
In a saucepan, combine the apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until almost all the liquid has evaporated. Let cool slightly.
Preheat the oven to 350 °F/180 °C. Line the pan with parchment paper. Roll out 2/3 of the dough (the portion that was in the refrigerator) and place it in the pan. Press down firmly to cover the entire bottom. Prick the dough with a fork and bake it for about 12 minutes.
Assembly: If the filling is moist, sprinkle the base with a thin layer of breadcrumbs. Spread the cooked apples evenly over it.
Grate the reserved dough (from the freezer) over the top without pressing it down.
Return to the oven for 35 to 45 minutes, until golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, cover it with aluminum foil.
Let it cool completely at room temperature, between 1½ and 2½ hours.
Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy!

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FAQ ❓

What is Szarlotka?

Szarlotka is a traditional Polish apple pie made with spiced apples and buttery pastry. This version has a crisp, grated pastry topping.

What apples are best for Szarlotka?

Use firm apples that hold their flavor when cooked. A mix of tart and sweet varieties gives the filling a balanced taste.

How do you keep apple pie filling from making the crust soggy?

Cook the apples until most of their liquid has evaporated, then let the filling cool slightly. If it still seems moist, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the pre-baked crust before adding the apples.

Why does the topping dough need to be frozen?

Freezing firms the dough, making it easy to grate over the filling. The loose shreds bake into a crisp, crumbly topping.

How long should Szarlotka cool before cutting?

Let it cool completely at room temperature, about 1½ to 2½ hours. This helps the apple filling set so the slices hold together.

Nutrition

for 1 serving / for 100 g

Calories: 444Kcal

Carbs: 60.7g
Total fat: 17.9g
Saturated fat: 11.3g
Proteins: 7g
Fibers: 4.3g
Sugar: 30.3g
ProPoints: 12
SmartPoints: 20

Nutritional information for 1 serving (205g)

Cookware

oven

burner

Attributes

Suitable for freezing

Keep refrigerated

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Mirella Mendonça

I am the editorial manager at Petitchef (Portugal and Brazil) and a huge enthusiast of travel and world cuisine, always in search of new flavors and experiences. However, as much as I love exploring the delights of different cultures, my mom's cooking will always be my favorite — with that unique flavor that only she can create.

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Szarlotka: Polish apple pie with a crispy topping

Ingredients

Dough:

Filling:

Materials