Polish Apple and Orange Mazurka

Description


Traditionally served at Easter time this Polish recipe for apple shortcake will prove popular with the whole family. It has a texture in-between shortbread and a cake. Serve warm or cold in slices.
 * Prep: 15mins
 * Cook: 40mins
 * Serves 12

Ingredients

 * 225 g / 8 oz plain flour
 * 2 tsp baking powder
 * pinch of salt
 * 100 g / 4 oz caster sugar
 * grated zest and juice 1 orange
 * 175 g / 6 oz butter
 * 2 egg yolks
 * 3 tbsp double cream

Topping

 * 500g Bramley apples, peeled, cored and sliced
 * 75g caster sugar
 * a few flaked almonds

Directions

 * 1) Preheat the oven to 180 °C / fan 160 °C /350 °F / gas mark 4.
 * 2) Sift the flour, and baking powder into a bowl, add the salt, sugar and orange zest.
 * 3) Add the butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles crumbs.
 * 4) Beat the egg yolks and cream together then stir into the flour mixture and mix with your hands to make a crumbly dough.
 * 5) Press into the base of a 26 x 16cm (approx. 10x 6½in) rectangular tin, pushing it up a little around the edges of the tin to make a rim.
 * 6) Prick the base all over with a fork.
 * 7) Bake for 20 minutes.
 * 8) Remove from the oven.
 * 9) Toss the apple slices, caster sugar and juice of half the orange together then arrange the apple slices over the dough.
 * 10) Bake for further 20 minutes or until the slices are tender but not mushy.
 * 11) If liked you can pop the mazurka under a hot grill to caramelise the apple slices slightly.
 * 12) Leave to cool slightly in the tin before cutting into 12 rectangles.
 * 13) Serve warm or cold with cream.