Hungarian Strawberry Pastry Bars

Total Time Prep: 45 min. + chilling Bake: 25 min. + cooling
Yield 2 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
This Hungarian pastry has always been a family favorite. The dough is rich and soft , and the layers of nuts and jam make a delicious filling. —Ron Roth, Wyoming, Michigan Tip: Try using a floured pastry cloth when rolling out the dough. It makes placing the dough into the pan easier.

Ingredients

  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/4 cups shortening
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-1/2 cups chopped walnuts, divided
  • 1 jar (18 ounces) seedless strawberry jam

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sour cream, water and vanilla; gradually add to crumb mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide into thirds. Chill for 30 minutes.
  2. Between two large sheets of waxed paper, roll out one portion of dough into a 15x10-in. rectangle. Transfer to an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Sprinkle with 1-1/4 cups walnuts and 2 tablespoons sugar. Roll out another portion of dough into a 15x10-in. rectangle; place over walnuts. Spread with jam; sprinkle with remaining walnuts and sugar.
  3. Roll out remaining pastry; cut into strips. Arrange in a crisscross pattern over filling. Trim and seal edges. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.
This Hungarian pastry has always been a family favorite. The dough is rich and soft , and the layers of nuts and jam make a delicious filling. —Ron Roth, Wyoming, Michigan Tip: Try using a floured pastry cloth when rolling out the dough. It makes placing the dough into the pan easier.
Recipe Creator

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