Apple-themed delicacies

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Tsvetaeva Sisters Apple CakeAccording to legend, Marina Tsvetaeva, the famous Russian poetess, and her sister Anastasia, liked to host literary evenings and serve this dessert. Make this simple but delicious cake and pretend you’re gallivanting with the intelligentsia at the sisters’ house in Tarusa, Russia.

Tsvetaeva Sisters Apple Cake

Ingredients

3 large Granny Smith apples

Dough

2/3 cup flour

3 ounces sour cream

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 stick unsalted butter (8 tablespoons)

Crème (topping)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon flour

Process

Heat oven to 375° F.

Combine flour, sour cream and melted butter. Slightly butter and flour a round 9-inch pan. Press the dough onto the bottom and the edges. Spread peeled, thinly cut slices of apples on top. If desired, shake some cinnamon onto the apples.

Use a mixer to combine sour cream, sugar, egg and flour.

Pour the crème on top of the apples. Bake for about 50 minutes.

 

Russian Apple Caramel Cake

If you like Crème Brûlée, you’ll love this dessert.

Caramel Syrup

Pour 4 tablespoons of water into a saucepan.

Add 5 1/2 ounces of sugar (about 10 tablespoons).

Leave on medium flame until the sugar starts getting dark.

Pour 1 cup cream into the hot caramel and change the flame to low, stirring until all is combined well. Cool.

Add 2 eggs, mix.

Add 1 teaspoon of flour and mix.

Dough

Make the dough out of 1 cup flour and 4 ounces cut-up unsalted butter. Roll it out and press into a round pan.

Filling

Peel 4 apples, cut into eighths. Lay apples onto the dough in concentric circles.

Process

Place the cake into an oven, preheated to 400° F, for 20 minutes.

Take it out of the oven and pour the syrup on top of the cake.

Lower the temperature to 300° F and bake the cake for 40 more minutes.

Chill before cutting.

 

Russian Mini Pancakes

These pancakes are extremely easy to make and children love them.

Ingredients

1 cup sour cream

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons sugar

a pinch of salt

2 large eggs (beaten)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

1 shredded apple (peeled)

Method

Combine all the ingredients. Using a soupspoon, ladle circles of batter onto a large, oiled and heated frying pan. Make sure to space the pancakes far apart because they will grow in size. Flip once you see bubbles in the batter.

Serve with jam.