London Bars

Walnut and apricot jam shortbread squares, aka London bars are decadent Hungarian pastries. These crazy delicious three layer bars could make a great treat that everyone will love.

Walnuts and apricot jam make a great combination. These two simple ingredients are always present in every Hungarian women’s cupboard. Because they have been very common for centuries, there are a lot of recipes using these harvested/homemade ingredients.

These crazy delicious bars have three layers: a buttery crumbly shortbread crust, an apricot jam spread and an egg white walnut foam. The combination of these layers makes a perfect dessert.

Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

Crust:

2 cups | 250 g all purpose flour
¾ cup | 120 g sugar
130 g | 1 stick + 1 tbsp butter (room temperature)
4 egg yolks

Topping:

4 egg whites
⅔ cup | 150 g sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 cups | 200 g ground walnuts
1½ cups apricot jam

Let's get started!

Whisk the egg yolks with the butter and sugar, then sift in the flour. Using your hand or a food processor mix together the flour with the egg mixture, until it turns into a dough. Form a ball and let it rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Preheat the oven to 180°C | 360°F. Line a medium sized baking tray with parchment paper.
Grind the walnuts (I put mine in a food processor, it worked great).
Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until it turns foamy. Add gradually the sugar and vanilla, beat until stiff peaks form. Fold in the ground walnut carefully.
Roll out the dough and press it into the prepared baking tray.
Spread the apricot jam over the crust, then the walnut foam over the jam.
Bake the cake for 20-25 minutes, until the crust is baked and the top has a golden brown color. If the top starts to burn, reduce the oven temperature.
Let it cool before slicing.

London Bars - three layer shortbread recipe

London Bars

Enjoy!