Czechoslovakian Pastry Bars
Transport your taste buds to the heart of Central Europe with these irresistible Czechoslovakian Pastry Bars. This delightful dessert combines a buttery shortbread-like base with a luscious layer of fruit preserves, such as apricot or raspberry, and a crumbly walnut-studded topping for the perfect balance of textures and flavors. Using simple pantry staples like flour, sugar, and butter, these pastry bars are easy to prepare in under an hour, making them an ideal treat for holiday gatherings, coffee breaks, or everyday indulgence. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, they offer a rustic yet elegant presentation that will impress any crowd. Perfect for lovers of traditional European baked goods, these pastry bars are a nostalgic nod to old-world charm with an irresistible modern twist.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup walnuts (chopped)
- 0.75 cup fruit preserves (apricot or raspberry recommended)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using a hand or stand mixer.
Add in the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
Divide the dough in half. Press one half evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer.
Spread the fruit preserves over the base layer, making sure to evenly cover the entire surface.
Mix the chopped walnuts into the remaining half of the dough. Crumble the walnut-dough mixture over the fruit preserves to create the top layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are slightly crisp.
Allow the pastry bars to cool completely in the pan before dusting with powdered sugar.
Slice into bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3681 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 186.1 g | 239% | |
| Saturated Fat | 64.4 g | 322% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 468 mg | 156% | |
| Sodium | 1213 mg | 53% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 483.4 g | 176% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.3 g | 58% | |
| Total Sugars | 259.1 g | ||
| Protein | 52.2 g | 104% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 181 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 16.1 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 1040 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
