Latvian Apple Bars (Abolu Platsmaize)

These Abolu Pl?tsmaize also known as Latvian Apple Bars include a soft cake layered with cinnamon apples and layer of cheesecake and streusel topping. This is an apple dessert that brings the apple flavor to the fore with minimal sweetness for a great lunchbox filler or Fall dessert.

Ingredients and substitutions for Latvian Apple Bars

• Apples: The apples used here were Granny Smith apples thanks to their firm texture and light sweetness. It is recommended to use either Granny Smith or Royal Gala. These hold their shape during baking and a slight sweetness which requires less added sugar.
• Butter: Plain unsalted was used here, though you could substitute with salted, though you might want to omit the salt from the batter. You could substitute in equal measure with non dairy butter, however, I have not tried this so cannot be sure of the outcome.
• Eggs: The eggs binds and adds structure to our batter resulting in that soft interior that compliments the sugar and butter.
• Baking powder: This helps the base of the cake rise making giving it a light texture.
• Flour: Plain or all purpose flour helps to create a nice light batter, however, bread flour would also work here.
• Kefir: A traditional ingredient here, if you cannot source vanilla or plain kefir you could replace with buttermilk.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make Latvian Apple Bars:

Step 1: Dry base: Stir the dry ingredients together for the base.

Step 2: Egg and kefir: Add into the mixture and stir to form your dough.

Step 3: Spoon: Into the baking tin and smooth down to form an even layer.

Step 4: Apples: Toss all the apple ingredients into a bowl and stir together. Add to the baking tin.

Step 5: Custard: Whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl and pour over the apples.

Step 6: Crumble: Stir the dry ingredients together and cut or rub the butter in to form a streusel mixture. Toss evenly over the top.

Step 7: Bake: Until lightly golden before allowing to cool completely and slicing.

Step 8: Serve: Plate up and serve with a hot drink beside. Enjoy!

More European desserts you'll enjoy

Dutch Apple Pie

Dorset Apple Cake

German Sunken Apple Cake

Latvian Apple Bars (Abolu Platsmaize)

Sylvie Taylor

Simple ingredients and a golden crust are thanks to juicy apples in these Latvian Apple Bars (Abolu Platsmaize). This dessert relies on ground cinnamon for most of it’s sweetness making it an ideal treat for any time of year.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Latvian

Servings 16

Calories 135 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Base

• 135 grams / ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 100 grams / ½ cup superfine/caster sugar
• 4 grams / 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 55 grams / 1 large egg room temperature
• 121 grams / ½ cup plain kefir

Apples

• 3 medium apples peeled, cored and cubed
• 14 grams / 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar see note
• 2 grams / 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Custard

• 200 grams / ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 55 grams / 1 large egg room temperature
• 14 grams / 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar see note
• 2 grams / 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Streusel

• 90 grams / ½ cup + 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 30 grams / 2 tablespoons superfine/caster sugar
• 50 grams / 3 ½ tablespoons butter cold and cubed

Instructions

 

• Line a 18×18 cm or 7×7 inch square baking tin with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 180C/350F.

Base

• Toss the flour, sugar and baking powder into a bowl and stir. Add the egg and kefir and stir to form a dough.
• Spoon into your baking dish and press down evenly into the tin. Set aside.

Apples

• Toss the cubed apples, sugar, ground cinnamon and vanilla extract in a bowl and toss over the base. Set aside

Custard

• In the same bowl as the apples, spoon the sour cream, toss the sugar, vanilla extract and egg and whisk until smooth.
• Pour over the apples and set aside.

Streusel

• Stir the flour and sugar in a bowl and cut the butter or press together to form a crumble.
• Once it holds together, toss over the apples evenly.
• Bake until golden, approximately 50 minutes.
• Remove and allow to cool completely.
• Slice evenly and serve.
• Enjoy!

Notes

• Apples: The best are Granny Smith or Royal Gala, or Bramley cooking apples as they have a firm texture that hold their shape during baking and a slight sweetness.
• Kefir: A traditional ingredient here, if you cannot source vanilla or plain kefir you could replace with buttermilk.
• Freezing for later: Once cooled, wrap the bars tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven for a freshly baked texture.
• Best kept: In a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Adapted from la.lv

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal

Keyword apple, bars, cheesecake

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