Latvian Sklandrausis

Certainly! Sklandrausis is a traditional Latvian sweet pie that has a distinctive taste due to its unique combination of ingredients. Here’s a step-by-step recipe for making Sklandrausis:

Ingredients:

• For the Dough:
  • 200g rye flour
  • 50g all-purpose flour
  • 50g butter (cold and diced)
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • 5-6 tbsp water (cold)
• For the Filling:
  • 200g carrots (peeled and grated)
  • 200g potatoes (peeled and grated)
  • 50g sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp caraway seeds
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions:

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

1. Mix Flours and Salt:
   • In a mixing bowl, combine the rye flour, all-purpose flour, and a pinch of salt.
2. Add Butter:
   • Add the cold, diced butter to the flour mixture.
3. Form Crumbs:
   • Using your fingers, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add Water:
   • Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together.
5. Rest the Dough:
   • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Preparing the Filling

1. Grate Vegetables:
   • While the dough is resting, grate the peeled carrots and potatoes.
2. Mix Filling Ingredients:
   • In a bowl, mix the grated carrots, grated potatoes, sugar, honey, caraway seeds, and a pinch of salt until well combined.

Step 3: Assembling the Sklandrausis

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Roll Out the Dough:
   • On a floured surface, roll out the rested dough to about 3mm thickness.
3. Cut Out Circles:
   • Using a round cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the dough.
4. Fill the Circles:
   • Place a spoonful of the filling mixture in the center of each dough circle.
5. Shape the Edges:
   • Pinch the edges of the dough to form a small ridge around the filling, leaving the filling exposed in the center.

Step 4: Baking

1. Place on Baking Sheet:
   • Place the assembled Sklandrausis on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the filling is cooked through.
3. Cool:
   • Allow the Sklandrausis to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.

Step 5: Serving

• Serve:
  • Serve the Sklandrausis warm or at room temperature. They can be enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet snack.

Enjoy your homemade traditional Latvian Sklandrausis!