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Recipe for Apple Shortbread Squares with Meringue and Nuts

Yields20 ServingsPrep Time2 hrsCook Time55 minsTotal Time2 hrs 55 mins

Today I suggest apple shortbread squares topped with meringue and nuts. This is one of my mom's favorite recipes, which she would make for us almost every weekend in the fall and winter, as long as we had apples. It's a very indulgent and generous dessert, rich in filling, with a contrast of flavors and textures. A pure delight! It's perfect if you have guests at the table, as there is enough to please several sweet tooths. But if you are not many at home, you just need to halve the quantity of ingredients.

Dough:
 200 Soft butter
 150 Sugar
 1 Vanilla sugar
 5 Salt
 200 Thick cream (whole for me)
 570 flour (+/-)
 11 Baking powder
Apples:
 15 Peeled and cored apples (net weight)
 80 Sugar
 1 Cinnamon (optional)
 2 Cornstarch
Meringue:
 200 Sugar
In addition:
 200 Coarsely chopped walnut pieces
Directions
1

Prepare the dough. In a large bowl, mix the softened butter with the sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt, using a spatula. Add the egg yolks one by one, mixing each time to incorporate. Then do the same with the sour cream. In a separate bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to the dough, first mixing with the spatula and then kneading by hand until you have a smooth and homogeneous dough that is not sticky. Divide the dough into two equal parts and shape into 2 balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

2

Prepare the apples. In the meantime, prepare the apples. Peel and core them, then cut them into small cubes. Add sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch, and mix well.

3

Preheat the oven to 180°C, static heat.

4

Assembly Roll out the first piece of dough directly on a piece of parchment paper, measuring the size of the baking tray plus an extra 2 cm for the edges. Line the bottom of the tray. Pour in the apples and distribute them evenly. You need to leave 2 cm of dough free all around to seal the two pieces of dough later. Roll out the second piece of dough in the same way. Place it over the apples and then remove the parchment paper. Seal the edges. Prick the entire surface with a fork.

5

Bake for 35 minutes or until the surface is golden.

6

Prepare the meringue. 15 minutes before the end of baking, prepare the meringue. Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, mixing well with each addition to incorporate it. Take the cake out of the oven and spread the meringue on top. Sprinkle with nuts.

7

Baking 2 Place in the oven and cook for another 20 minutes.

8

Let cool completely before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

0 servings

Serving size

20

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