Here’s a traditional Hungarian Apple Cake (Almás pite)—a beloved classic with a tender shortcrust pastry and spiced apple filling 🇭🇺🍎
🍎 Almás Pite (Hungarian Apple Cake)
Ingredients (9×13-inch / 23×33 cm pan)
Dough
- 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ¾ cup (170 g) cold butter, cubed
- 2 large eggs
- 2–3 tbsp sour cream (or milk)
Apple Filling
- 5–6 large apples (Granny Smith or similar), peeled & grated
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tbsp fine breadcrumbs or semolina (to absorb juice)
For Topping
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the apples
- Grate apples, toss with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Squeeze out excess juice and set aside.
- Make the dough
- Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Add eggs and sour cream; knead briefly until smooth.
- Divide dough into two portions (one slightly larger).
- Assemble
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C.
- Grease baking pan.
- Roll out the larger dough portion and place in the pan.
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs/semolina evenly over dough.
- Spread apple filling evenly.
- Roll out remaining dough and place on top.
- Bake
- Bake 40–45 minutes until golden.
- Let cool completely before slicing.
- Serve
- Dust generously with powdered sugar.
- Cut into squares and enjoy.
🌟 Traditional Tips
- Almás pite is not overly sweet—it’s meant to be balanced
- Always drain grated apples to prevent soggy pastry
- Best enjoyed the next day when flavors settle
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- With coffee or tea
- Slightly warm with vanilla custard
- As a holiday or Sunday dessert
If you’d like, I can also share:
- 🇭🇺 Grandma-style crumb-topped Almás pite
- 🍏 Apple–custard Hungarian cake
- 🥧 Rustic village-style version
- ❄️ Make-ahead & freezer tips
Just tell me 😊
