The Jewish New Year is celebrated tomorrow, and this brings back memories of traditional foods, even to an agnostic such as myself. One of the culinary traditions for this event, is to dip a slice of apple in honey, and eat it as a symbol for a sweet New Year. Plenty other sweet dishes are added to the table as well, in order to emphasize this hope for a sweet New Year.
The following dessert was inspired by this tradition.
On top of the traditional apple/honey combination, I chose to spice up the filling with cinnamon and vanilla, and added golden raisins, almond flour, and almond extract to it, for more layers of aroma, flavor and texture. I also used nutty brown butter to brush the dough, which enhanced the almond flavor and aroma in the filling. The outer crispy buttery filo worked beautifully with the soft, sweet and aromatic filling. Served with fresh sliced apples, and drizzled with more honey, these filo purses make a wonderful dessert, that can be served any time of the year. Try it and enjoy. Happy and sweet New Year to all!
Notes:
* If using frozen filo dough, make sure to defrost it slowly in the fridge overnight. This keeps the sheets flexible.
* Filo dough comes in different thicknesses, which are marked by numbers. Here I’ve used #4, which stands for thin delicate sheets. If you’re still new to using filo, you may prefer using thicker dough (#7).
* For instructions on how to clarify brown butter, check under “How To” page, for photos of the process. Another option is to use light oil.
Makes: 8
Prep time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
½ lbs (225 grams) Filo sheets (see notes)
½ cup clarified brown butter (see notes)
For the filling:
2 Tbs butter, cut into cubes
4 cups medium cubed peeled semi- tart apples (from about 6 medium apples)
1/3 cup golden raisins
¼ cup sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp vanilla paste
1/3 cup almond flour
2 drops of almond extract
¼ cup honey (preferably orange blossom)
1-2 Tbs fine bread crumbs
For serving:
Sliced apples
Honey (preferably orange blossom)
1. In a large pan, mix the butter, cut apples, raisins, sugar, salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Cook, mixing occasionally, until the apples soften and the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Add the almond flour and almond extract, and mix gently. Cook for 1-s minutes, add the honey and mix gently. Depending on the amount of liquids, add 1-2 Tbs breadcrumbs, mix well and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the liquids thicken. Let cool to room temperature.
2. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven.
3. Cut the dough in half, into rectangles, about 6.3” (16 cm) X 9” (23 cm). Place one dough sheet over lightly oiled work surface and brush it with the clarified butter. Repeat with three more layers.
4. Place the oiled dough over a muffin pan, and press it gently into one cup. Fill with generous amount of the filling, and fold the dough, from all sides towards the center, pressing it gently but tightly, to create a “purse”. Repeat with the rest of the dough and filling. Once done, brush with a bit more clarified butter all over.
5. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the dough is golden-brown. Keep in the pan for 5 minutes, before releasing gently to a serving dish.
6. Serve warm, or at room temperature, drizzled with honey, with sliced apples on the side.
Shanah tova, Ronit ! May it be a good one ! And having had 11 Jewish gals in my high school graduation class in Sydney, the occasion and the food are part of a revered culture and not necessarily of religion . . . . and since you have saved this shiksa from considerable embarrassment through oversight – so glad for the reminder 😦 ! Am not a baker, but really like these filo purses and shall definitely attempt.
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Thank you Eha, I’m glad you’ve found the post helpful and hope you’ll enjoy these tasty pastries. Shana Tova to you too, and to all your friends and loved ones. 🙂
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These are precious, and right in time for Yom Tov!
Shana Tova u’Metuka, dear Ronit!
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Thank you Dolly, I’m glad you liked these tasty pastries. They came out of the oven not long ago and the smell is amazing!
שנה טובה ומתוקה to you too, and to your loved ones. 🙂
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Sounds delicious!
Have a sweet and happy new year! שנה טובה
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Thank you Felix, I’m glad you liked the recipe. שנה טובה A sweet and happy year to you and yours! 🙂
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Sounds divine! 🤗
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Thank you Saania. 🙂
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My pleasure 💞
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All the best for the new year! Delicious recipe!
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Thank you! Best wishes to you too. 🙂
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That’s wonderful! 😋😋
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Thank you Eugenia. 🙂
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Oh wow! It looks delicious!
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Thank you Aletta. 🙂
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Looks pretty! Love these gorgeous golden purses with delicious apple fillings.
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Thank you Megala, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It turned out very delicious. 🙂
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These look so pretty and I bet they taste super delicious too. I still have some Filo pastry in the freezer and I know what to make with it next 🙂
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Thank you Myra, I’m glad you liked the recipe. Sounds like a plan! I hope you’ll enjoy these tasty pastries. 🙂
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This looks too delicious. I have filo sheets, will try this! Can I use ground almonds instead of it’s flour and vanilla essence instead of the paste as well as almond extract. I have neither!
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Thank you Pooja, I’m glad you liked the recipe and hope you’ll enjoy it. You can definitely use ground almonds and vanilla essence instead of what I listed. Good luck! 🙂
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That’s great! Thanks 😊
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Nice presentation of your sweet “purses” – love your additions to add more flavor 🙂
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Thank you Judi, I’m glad you liked the recipe. The purses turned out very tasty, and are easy to serve. 🙂
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These look really inviting!
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Thank you Dorothy! 🙂
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Gorgeous photos of a beautiful dessert! I love apples – especially in season – so this is something I’d love to try.
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Thank you Jeff, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It turned out very tasty, and I hope you’ll enjoy it. 🙂
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Yum, yum, yum.
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Thank you Paul! 🙂
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Looks delicious – I may give this a go – Shanah Tovah!
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Thank you Alison, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It turned out very tasty, and I hope you’ll enjoy it. Shana Tova to you and yours. 🙂
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I like how you used a traditional combination to inspire this dessert. The filo purses look delicious. Have a wonderful new year!
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Thank you Sheryl, I’m glad you liked the recipe. This dessert turned out very delicious. Best wishes to you too. 🙂
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So pretty and for sure delicious too 🙂
Have a wonderful new year!
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Thank you Ribana, I’m glad you liked the pastries. They were indeed very delicious. Best wishes to you too. 🙂
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Such a lovely treat ! I use filo sheets for spring rolls and wantons and this is such a great way to use for desserts👍 quite a nice idea👍
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Thank you Jyo, I’m glad you liked the recipe. Filo in indeed so versatile and works well in desserts as well.
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Looks fantastic. Bet it tastes even better. 🍃🍎
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Thank you Gail, I’m glad you liked the pastries. They turned out so delicious. Definitely a keeper. 🙂
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Interesting!! Looks tasty!!will try it for sure
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Thank you, I’m glad you liked the pastries. They were very tasty. 🙂
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Happy new year, Chef Ronit 🍎
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Thank you! Best wishes to you and yours! 🙂
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These are gorgeous! And the filling – divine!
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Thank you Mimi! These were a hit. Definitely a keeper! 🙂
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YummO‼🥰
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Thank you Dawn. 🙂
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Is it too late to become a purse snatcher? ;->
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lol I’m afraid it is. Try again next year! 🙂
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Ronit, difficult to decide whether it is such a beautiful baked purse or a delicious treat. These look so beautiful brown that I can just keep looking at them!!
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Thank you Deeksha, for such a lovely compliment. This dessert turned out both beautiful and tasty, and is quite easy to make. Win-win! 🙂
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Yummy!
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Thank you. 🙂
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You’re welcome 😉
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