Abrykosovyy Yabluchnyy Platsok (Apricot Apple Platsok)

[Olga Drozd]

Ukrainian - Abrykosovyy Yabluchnyy Platsok (Apricot Apple Platsok)

Delightful served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. The crust in made with an easy press in butter base and topped with apricot jam, ground almonds, and shredded apple and topped with sliced almonds.

CRUST:

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar (Icing/Powdered)
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

FILLING:

2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup ground almonds
1/3 cup raisins
3 large tart cooking apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and shredded
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 Tablespoons apricot jam
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Preheat the oven to 350º F.

Combine the flour and sugar in a large bowl or in the food processor.  Process or cut in the butter until the mixture resembles moist crumbs that hold together when you pinch it.  Press into the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.

To make the filling, beat the eggs in a large bowl and add the sugar and salt.  Beat until the mixture is thick and lemon colored. Stir in the ground almonds and raisins and then stir in the apples and cinnamon.

Brush the bottom of the unbaked pastry with the apricot jam.  Spread the apple mixture evenly over the jam.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove from the oven and drizzle with the melted butter; then sprinkle with the sliced almonds. Bake for 15 minutes longer or until the filling is set and the almonds are toasted.  Cool in the pan on a wire rack.  Cut into 36 squares or, cut into 12 to 16 squares and serve with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.