Latvian Apple Bars (Abolu Platsmaize)
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.
Servings 16
Calories 135kcal
Ingredients
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.
Nutrition
Calories: 135kcal