Here’s a classic Hungarian Fruit Squares recipe 🇭🇺🍒—soft, lightly sweet, filled with jam, and traditionally dusted with powdered sugar. In Hungary they’re often called “Lekváros szelet” or “Gyümölcsös szelet.”
🇭🇺 Hungarian Fruit Squares
⏱ Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Bake: 25–30 minutes
- Makes: 16 squares
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup cold butter, cubed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional but traditional)
Filling
- ¾–1 cup thick fruit jam (apricot, plum, raspberry, or sour cherry are traditional)
Topping
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment or grease lightly.
2️⃣ Make the Dough
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut cold butter into flour until crumbly.
- Mix in sugar, eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest.
- Knead gently until a soft dough forms.
3️⃣ Assemble
- Divide dough into two parts (one slightly larger).
- Press the larger portion into the pan evenly.
- Spread jam in an even layer.
- Roll or crumble the remaining dough on top.
4️⃣ Bake
- Bake 25–30 minutes until lightly golden.
- Let cool completely.
5️⃣ Finish
- Dust generously with powdered sugar.
- Cut into squares once fully cooled.
🌟 Tips for Authentic Flavor
- Use thick, slightly tart jam (Hungarian apricot or plum is classic).
- Chill dough 15 minutes if it feels soft.
- Squares taste even better the next day after flavors settle.
🍽 Variations
- Add ground walnuts to the topping dough
- Sprinkle cinnamon into the jam
- Use sour cherry preserves for a traditional twist
If you’d like, I can also share:
- A yeast-based Hungarian version
- A walnut crumble topping variation
- A Christmas-style version often served at holidays
Just tell me which one you want 😊
