Russian-style crumble pie inspired by babushka’s cookies with berries (RECIPE)

I used to spend my whole summer in the countryside when I was a child, and among my favorite memories was visiting grannie’s friends. They always had something sweet and tasty for tea. Once, we stopped by an unknown place, and what a treat they had that day - a new type of cookie. They were solid but crumbled with berry filling inside. Many years since that day, I made a ‘nasypnoi’ pie (‘piled up’ in English), or crumble. The moment I tried a piece, I clearly remembered that garden, a path with phloxes, a warm elderly lady and those cookies!

Crumble cake is the easiest you can imagine. Popular all over the world, this dessert has plentiful variations: fresh and frozen fruits, berries, jams or a mix of them. The consistency may have a range as well. The one that’s popular in Russia is more solid. Usually, it is baked in large pans, then can be cut with a knife and is served as square bars.

I make a Russian-style crumble pie, and my children know it as ‘cookies with jam’. In the summer months I add fresh berries as well. It perfectly fits in the concept of ‘grannies’ recipe: they usually make lots of jams and have leftovers from the previous year. It’s a great idea to combine old jams with fresh berries: You make something really good and free up space for new ones. 

I encourage you to make this Russian-style crumble pie! Probably you’ll also have déjà vu from your childhood.

Ingredients:

Form 20*20

Dough:

• Flour - 300 g
• Butter - 150 g
• Eggs – 1 pc and 1 yolk
• Sugar - 130 g
• Lemon zest
• Baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon

Filling:

• Jam – 100 g
• Mixed berries – 150 - 200 g 

Preparation:

1. Put the dough ingredients in a processor cup.

2. Mix everything till you get crumbles.

3. Use wet paper in the bottom of the form so  it will be easy to remove the cake.

4. Put 2/3 of the crumbles first.

5. Spread some jam on top. 

6. Add berries.

7. Sprinkle the rest of the dough.

8. Bake the cake in the oven at 180°C for about 45 minutes.

9. Cut into squares and enjoy! 

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