LENJA PITA - SERBIAN FRIENDSHIP CAKE

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil reduces saturated fat while maintaining moisture.

yogurt

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt adds protein and creaminess.

apricot jam

🥗Healthier: fruit spread

💰Cheaper: peach jam

Fruit spread has less sugar and offers similar flavor.

powdered sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: granulated sugar

Coconut sugar is less processed and has a lower glycemic index.

Whisk together 5 cups of all-purpose unbleached flour and salt in a bowl.

Rub together 1 pound of unsweetened butter until blended with the flour mixture.

Add 1 cup of sugar to the mixture.

Add 3 eggs (1 whole egg and 2 egg yolks), 1/3 cup of whole milk, and a splash of pure vanilla extract. Optionally add lemon zest.

Mix everything together to form a dough, then divide into two, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Peel and thinly slice 2 pounds of apples into a bowl.

Add 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 cup of ground walnuts, 1/2 cup of bread crumbs, and a little cinnamon to the apples and mix.

Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface and transfer it into a 9 by 13 deep pan, pressing it down evenly.

Spread the apple mixture on top of the dough and tamp it down firmly.

Roll out the second disk of dough into a rectangle and place it on top of the apple mixture, sealing the edges.

Whip the reserved egg whites to stiff peaks and spread them across the top of the cake.

Sprinkle leftover ground walnuts on top.

Cut the cake into 24 squares before baking.

Bake in a 325-degree oven for 1 hour, rotating the pan at the 30-minute mark.

Allow the cake to cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens