These flaky, crispy little bites are an absolute dream. They melt in your mouth and have a delicate aroma of vanilla and lemon that’s just irresistible. Despite their fancy, layered appearance, they’re actually super simple to make—and oh, the reward!
Ingredients:
- 600 g flour
- 3 egg yolks
- Grated zest of 1 lemon
- A pinch of salt
- 3–4 dcl sparkling water (adjust as needed)
For the filling:
- 400 g rendered pork fat (cleaned, ground, or blended until smooth)
And for the finishing touches:
- Apricot jam
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla sugar
Preparation:
First things first—let’s get that dough going. In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour (because nobody wants lumps in their dough, right?). Add the yolks, lemon zest (this adds such a beautiful aroma), a tablespoon of pork fat (just enough to make the dough rich), a pinch of salt, and start gradually adding sparkling water. Mix and knead until you get a medium-soft dough—not too firm, but not sticky either.
Now the fun part: roll out the dough nice and thin. Spread 1/3 of the fat across the surface—it might seem like a lot, but this is what creates those irresistible layers. Fold it like puff pastry (fold one side in, then the other, like a letter), and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If your kitchen is warm, try finding a cooler spot.
Repeat this process two more times (yes, it’s a bit of work, but trust me, it’s so worth it!). On the fourth roll-out, spread the dough to about 1 cm thick. Trim the edges neatly with a knife—this helps those beautiful layers separate properly during baking.
Cut the dough into squares. Take a small spoonful of apricot jam and place it in the center of each square. Fold two opposite corners towards the middle, pressing gently so they stay closed during baking. Or, if you’re feeling casual, just fold them in half.
Transfer these little beauties to a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) for about 15–20 minutes, or until golden and puffy.
The final touch? Let them cool slightly, then dust generously—no, lavishly—with powdered sugar mixed with vanilla sugar. Seriously, don’t hold back on the sugar. It’s the cherry on top of these flaky, jam-filled bites of heaven.
Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, grab a few (or a lot), and enjoy every crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth moment. Trust me, they won’t last long!