So this is kind of a pie.
And its kind of a crumble.
Its also kind of bars.
Szarlotka is Polish for apple pie. But this particular kind of Polish szarlotka is often made in a large square or rectangular tin and then cut into bars.
The base is kind of like cake, something called biszkopt.
Then there is a layer of deliciously soft apples (I tried to make extra apples for a thicker layer but they kind of get swallowed up by the cake so add more, more, PILE them on).
Then, the best part, is the crumble on top.
Yum yum buttery sugary crumbly crumble.
Its officially the beginning of spring, so I though I’d bake with some fruit. Even though its totally already been spring for about a month, as the sun has been shining, the flowers have blossomed and I have been constantly sneezing (hayfever!).
POLISH APPLE PIE BARS
Loosely adapted from Spicy Ice Cream, whose recipe comes from Donna Hay.
Apple filling
8 large green apples, peeled and diced
2 tbsp sugar
10g unsalted butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp corn flour
Preheat the oven to 160C and line a 28 x 35 cm (12 x 15 inch) tin with baking paper.
Put your apples, sugar, butter and cinnamon in a medium saucepan and mix well. Put on the smallest burner and on the lowest heat. Cover and cook for about 15-20 minutes until soft, stirring every 5 minutes or so.
The base
125g unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cup caster sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 1/4 cup plain flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp milk
Beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the egg and beat until combined.
Turn the mixer to low. Add the flour, baking powder and milk and mix until incorporated.
Spread into the tin. Top the base with the apple mixture (LOTS of it! Even if it looks like too much!).
The crumble
1 1/4 cup plain flour
3/4 cup caster sugar
125g unsalted butter, cubed
Put all the ingredients into a large bowl. Rub with your fingertips, incorporating the butter into the flour, until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Sprinkle all the crumble mixture over the apples.
Bake for 45 -60 minutes, until lightly golden.
