5 Hungarian Christmas recipes to satisfy your sweet tooth
Hungarian Christmas recipes bring a touch of old-world magic to the holiday season, combining rich, buttery pastries, aromatic spices, and layers of tradition. These recipes, passed down through generations, capture the essence of Hungarian festive celebrations. Whether you’re after a delicate biscuit, a nutty slice, or a creamy dessert, these sweet treats will bring the warmth and charm of a Hungarian Christmas to your festive table.
Here, we delve into five iconic Hungarian Christmas recipes—Gerbeaud slice, snow crescents, creamy chestnut yule log, flódni, and honey-spice cookies. These detailed Hungarian Christmas recipes ensure you can recreate them at home, filling your kitchen with the same inviting aromas found in Budapest’s holiday markets.
Zserbó – Gerbeaud slice
Zserbó is a layered pastry named after Emil Gerbeaud, a Swiss confectioner who worked in Hungary and inspired the name of the iconic Gerbeaud Confectionery in Budapest. Its golden layers of dough, filled with apricot jam and walnuts, topped with a glossy chocolate glaze, make it one of the quintessential Hungarian Christmas recipes.
Ingredients:
– 500g plain flour
– 200g unsalted butter
– 50g icing sugar
– 1 tsp dried yeast
– 100ml milk
– 2 egg yolks
– 200g ground walnuts
– 200g apricot jam
– 150g dark chocolate
Method:
1. Mix yeast into warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, butter, and icing sugar. Stir in the yeast mixture and egg yolks to form a dough. Divide into three equal parts and chill for 30 minutes.
3. Roll out the first dough layer and place in a lined baking tin. Spread with half the jam and sprinkle with half the walnuts. Repeat with the second layer.
4. Cover with the final dough layer. Pierce with a fork and bake at 180°C (356°F) for 30 minutes.
5. Melt chocolate and pour over the cooled pastry. Slice into small squares to serve.
Hó kifli – vanilla crescents
Hó kifli, or vaníliás kifli, are crescent-shaped biscuits rolled in vanilla sugar. These crumbly delights melt in your mouth, perfect with a cup of tea.
Ingredients:
– 300g plain flour
– 200g unsalted butter
– 100g ground almonds
– 100g icing sugar
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– Icing sugar for coating
Method:
1. Combine flour, butter, almonds, and sugar to form a dough. Add vanilla extract and chill for 1 hour.
2. Roll small portions of dough into crescent shapes and place on a lined baking sheet.
3. Bake at 180°C (356°F) for 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then roll in icing sugar while still warm.
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Gesztenyés fatörzs – creamy chestnut Yule log
A chestnut-flavoured Yule log, gesztenyés fatörzs is a lighter alternative to traditional British Christmas desserts, yet equally indulgent.
Ingredients:
– 200g cooked chestnut purée
– 100g icing sugar
– 300ml double cream
– 100g dark chocolate
– 4 eggs
– 100g caster sugar
– 75g plain flour
Method:
1. Beat eggs and caster sugar until pale and fluffy. Gently fold in sifted flour. Pour into a lined Swiss roll tin and bake at 200°C (392°F) for 8 minutes.
2. Roll the sponge with a damp tea towel and let cool.
3. Whip chestnut purée, icing sugar, and cream until smooth. Unroll the sponge, spread with filling, and re-roll.
4. Melt chocolate and pour over the log. Chill before slicing.
Flódni – layered pastry cake
Flódni is the crown jewel of Hungarian Christmas recipes, with layers of poppy seeds, apple, walnuts, and plum jam encased in a buttery pastry.
Ingredients:
– 500g plain flour
– 200g butter
– 100g sugar
– 3 egg yolks
– 200g poppy seeds
– 200g walnuts
– 3 large apples, grated
– 200g plum jam
Method:
1. Prepare a pastry with flour, butter, sugar, and yolks. Divide into four parts.
2. Spread one layer of dough in a tin and alternate with poppy seed, apple, walnut, and jam layers. Top with final dough layer.
3. Bake at 180°C (356°F) for 45 minutes. Dust with icing sugar before serving.
Mézes puszedli – honey-spice cookies
Mézes puszedli are spiced honey cookies often glazed with sugar or chocolate, epitomising the flavours of Christmas. These cookies definitely top the list of Hungarian Christmas recipes for foodies with a sweet tooth.
Ingredients:
– 500g plain flour
– 200g honey
– 100g butter
– 2 eggs
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1 tsp ground cloves
– 1 tsp baking soda
– Optional: walnut for decoration
Method:
1. Melt honey and butter together. Combine with eggs, flour, spices, and baking soda to form a dough. Chill overnight.
2. Roll out dough, cut into rounds, and bake at 180°C (356°F) for 10 minutes.
3. Add a walnut on top or sugar glaze for a festive finish.
Hungarian Christmas recipes like these invite you to explore a world of festive indulgence. Whether you’re sharing zserbó with loved ones or enjoying a hó kifli on a snowy afternoon, these Hungarian Christmas recipes will bring the country’s yuletide charm to your home.
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