Hungarian Cookie Bars
Indulge in the rich, buttery layers of Hungarian Cookie Bars, a deliciously nostalgic treat perfect for any occasion. These cookie bars feature a soft, crumbly shortbread dough that cradles a luscious layer of apricot jam and a sprinkle of spiced ground nuts, delivering a harmonious balance of sweetness and warmth in every bite. With their golden-brown finish and a dusting of powdered sugar, these bars are as visually stunning as they are flavorful. Perfectly portioned for sharing, this recipe is easy to prepare and makes 16 servings, ideal for holiday gatherings, coffee breaks, or dessert trays. Whether you're a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, these traditional Hungarian-inspired bars are sure to impress. Keywords: Hungarian Cookie Bars recipe, apricot jam dessert, layered cookie bars, traditional Hungarian dessert, easy baking recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 225 grams Unsalted butter
- 150 grams Granulated sugar
- 4 pieces Large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 360 grams All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 120 grams Ground walnuts or almonds
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 340 grams Apricot jam (or other preferred flavor)
- 30 grams Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges overhang.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed.
Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and mix until well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft, slightly crumbly dough forms.
Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix the ground nuts and cinnamon together in a small bowl and set aside.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to fit the bottom of the prepared pan. Press it evenly into the pan to form the base layer.
Spread the apricot jam evenly over the dough layer, ensuring it reaches all corners.
Sprinkle the spiced ground nuts over the jam layer evenly.
Roll out the second portion of dough and carefully lay it over the nut layer. You can also roll small pieces flat and piece them together if handling a single sheet is difficult.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, lift them out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares or bars.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5293 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 274.6 g | 352% | |
| Saturated Fat | 120.4 g | 602% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 498 mg | 166% | |
| Sodium | 1165 mg | 51% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 695.9 g | 253% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.9 g | 78% | |
| Total Sugars | 354.5 g | ||
| Protein | 57.1 g | 114% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 262 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 22.0 mg | 122% | |
| Potassium | 1318 mg | 28% | |
*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.
