Famous Czech Apple Slice Recipe

This amazing apple slice with meringue topping is hugely popular in the Czech Republic. The best translation of the Czech name "Hraběnčiny řezy" into English is probably Countess' slices.

These apple slices consist of three layers. At the bottom is a thin layer of homemade pie crust. Sliced apples are placed on it, seasoned with cinnamon, and sprinkled with chopped walnuts. The upper part forms meringue topping and grated pie crust.

Preparing the apple slices is easy; just follow the steps I've described in detail (see below), including process photos.

TIP: If you are a fan of apples, try this Czech apple bread pudding called Žemlovka!

Ingredients

PIE CRUST:

• Yolks; carefully crack the eggs and separate the yolks from the whites. Use the whites later for the meringue topping. Take the eggs out of the refrigerator at least two hours in advance. Egg whites are easier to whip if they are at room temperature.
• Unsalted butter; the same applies to it as to the eggs. Take it out of the fridge far enough ahead that it will soften at room temperature on the kitchen counter.
• Coarse sugar
• Milk
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder

Next, you need a tablespoon of butter and flour or fine breadcrumbs to prepare the baking sheet.

APPLE FILLING + MERINGUE TOPPING:

• Cinnamon; ground
• Walnuts
• Apples; fresh
• Lemon juice; prevents the browning of apples; sweet apples get a more pronounced flavor
• Egg whites; left over from making the dough
• Coarse sugar
• Wine vinegar; can be omitted if necessary. The wine vinegar will help keep the snow firmer during baking.

Furthermore, you need some icing sugar to dust the baked apple slices before serving.

✅ You’ll find the exact amount of ingredients below in the recipe card, which you can also print out.

Instructions

BEFORE BAKING: Grease a baking tray with butter and dust with flour or fine breadcrumbs. Preheat the oven to 340 °F (170 °C).

STEP 1: Place the softened butter in a bowl, add the coarse sugar, and beat them together with a hand spatula. Then incorporate the egg yolks, one at a time. Finally, add the flour mixed with baking powder and milk. Work into a soft, smooth dough.

STEP 2: Separate a third of the dough, wrap it in plastic, and place it in the freezer to stiffen up.

STEP 3: Press the remaining dough into a thin layer on the bottom of the prepared baking sheet.

STEP 4: Chop the walnuts coarsely using a large knife.

STEP 5: Peel the apples, remove the cores and cut them into thin slices or grate them coarsely. Sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning.

STEP 6: Spread the apples evenly over the dough, dust with cinnamon, about two tablespoons of sugar, and chopped nuts.

STEP 7: Beat the egg whites using a hand-held electric mixer with the remaining sugar until stiff. Finally, whisk in a tablespoon of wine vinegar. Carefully spread the snow over the apple layer.

STEP 8: Take the remaining third of the dough out of the freezer and grate it coarsely. Sprinkle the grated dough over the meringue layer. The dough should not form a thick impenetrable layer; instead, the meringue should be visible under the batter.

STEP 9: Bake the cake for 45 minutes in an oven preheated to 340 °F (170 °C).

Serving

Let the apple slices cool down for a while, dust the surface with icing sugar. Slice and serve.

Kitchen Equipment

The basic recipe is designed for a baking tray of about 12x16" (30 x 40 cm). You will also need a hand grater, a spatula, and a large knife to roughly chop/slice the walnuts.

Useful Tips

• Sugar the apple layer to taste. For more sour apples, add sugar; for sweeter apples, you can reduce the sugar.
• Aside from nuts, add raisins to the apples if you like them.
• This apple slice tastes best on the day it is baked. The fluffy meringue layer gets wet over time, and the cake is not as crispy as fresh out of the oven.

More Czech pastry:

• Trdelník Chimney Cake
• Boží milosti
• Bublanina
• Gingerbread slice – perník

Recipe Card