Marillenfleck - Austrian Apricot Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 large egg 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.5 pounds (700g) fresh apricots, pitted and halved 1.5 pounds (700g) fresh apricots, pitted and halved
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 39g, 20g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a rectangular baking dish.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. 3.
   Add the cold cubed butter to the dry ingredients and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. 4.
   In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg and vanilla extract. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir until the dough comes together.
5. 5.
   Transfer the dough to the greased baking dish and press it evenly into the bottom.
6. 6.
   Arrange the apricot halves, cut side down, on top of the dough, covering the entire surface.
7. 7.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the apricots are soft and slightly caramelized.
8. 8.
   Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Dust the Marillenfleck with powdered sugar.
9. 9.
   Serve warm or at room temperature.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apricots — Choose ripe and juicy apricots for the best flavor. If they are not in season, you can use canned apricots, but make sure to drain them well before using.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, you can sprinkle some ground cinnamon over the apricots before baking.
• Serve the Marillenfleck with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful combination of warm and cold.
• If you prefer a sweeter cake, you can increase the amount of granulated sugar in the dough.

Serving advice

Serve the Marillenfleck warm or at room temperature. It can be enjoyed as a standalone dessert or paired with a cup of coffee or tea.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can cut the Marillenfleck into individual rectangular slices and place them on a serving platter. Dust each slice with powdered sugar and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.