Today I've got two recipes in one for you. This Zapekanka recipe brings a lot of childhood memories. To me, and probably to a lot of other traditional Ukrainian folks out there. My mom used to make this to go along with green sorrel borscht. Sounds unusual, but believe me, it was the epitome of the perfect, 100% satisfactory after school meal! A real home-run! Yes, we did run home from school when we knew that mom will be serving it. There are two different versions of Zapekanka; plain, and sweet with apples. I like the sweet apple version a little better but I'm posting the plain as well for those who want to try the original recipe of it. For plain Zapekanka you use only one cup of sugar. But for the sweet with apples, use half a cup more of sugar, add cinnamon, vanilla and granny smith apples. Both versions of this Zapekanka are absolutely delicious. We usually eat the plain version with sorrel borscht for lunch and sweet Rice Zappekanka with Apples we serve for breakfast with milk. π
Ingredients you will need:
6 cups β 1% milk
3 cups β long grain rice
2 (8 oz.) stick β unsalted butter
1 Β½ cups β granulated sugar
1 tsp. β salt
3 large - eggs
1tbsp. β ground cinnamon
1 tsp. β pure vanilla extract
5 large β granny smith apples
Instructions:
1. Rinse rice well, set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 375 F. Add milk to a medium sauce pan. Bring it to a boil on the top stove, string constantly so the milk doesnβt burn on the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to low/med, add rice and let the rice boil and absorb all the milk.
3. Transfer cooked rice from a sauce pan to a large glass or porcelain pan. Spread cut into cubes butter.
4. Then add sugar and salt. Stir everything together.
5. Mix in eggs. (You can stop at this point if you are making just plain Rice Zapekanka. You need to bake it for only 1 hour).
6. Wash, peel, slice and chop apples (I use onion chopper to chop apples. You can purchase onion chopperΒ hereΒ or under my Shop categories if you donβt already have one).
7. Add chopped apples to rice mix. Mix in apples well until all combined.
8. Add pure vanilla extract and sprinkle cinnamon. Mix everything together well, until all combined.
9. Bake zapekanka at 375 F for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven. Let it cool for 30 minutes before serving.
10. Enjoy Rice Zapekanka with Apples warm with a cold cup of milk.
Recipe Card
Rice Zapekanka
Ingredients
- 6 cups whole milk 1% fat
- 3 cups long grain rice
- 16 oz unsalted butter or two sticks
- 1 Β½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 5 granny smith apples large
Instructions
- Rinse rice well, set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Add milk to a medium sauce pan. Bring it to a boil on the top stove, string constantly so the milk doesnβt burn on the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to low/med, add rice and let the rice boil and absorb all the milk.
- Transfer cooked rice from a sauce pan to a large glass pan. Spread cut into cubes butter.
- Then add sugar and salt. Stir everything together.
- Mix in eggs.
- Wash, peel, slice and chop apples (I use onion chopper to chop apples. You can purchase onion chopper under my Shop categories if you donβt already have one).
- Add chopped apples to rice mix. Mix in apples well until all combined.
- Add pure vanilla extract and sprinkle cinnamon. Mix everything together well, until all combined.
- Bake zapekanka at 375 F for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven. Let it cool for 30 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy rice zapekanka with apples warm with a cold cup of milk.
If you make this recipe please share the picture with me on facebook, instagram or pinterest. Tag it with #valyastasteofhome, I love seeing your creation. π
Lena says
I made it tonight and it taste good, but there is some crunchy rice on the top that I did not like. I followed your instructions precisely. Should I have taken it out after an hour or should I have covered it while baking?
Thank you for the recipe.
Valya's Taste of Home says
You can cover the pan during baking to prevent that. Thank you for your feedback!
Anna says
Looks delicious. How would the baking time differ if I cut the recipe in half? Thanks
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
The baking time shouldn't be much different. As soon as you see the edges turn golden brown in color zapekanka is pretty much done. I would suggest checking it after one hour. I hope this help.
Angie says
Looks so yummy!! It says 2 sticks of 8oz. Butter. Regular sticks are 4oz. (8tbsp) Is this correct?
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
Hi Angie. Itβs 2 (4 oz each) sticks or 8 oz total of butter. Iβll move word βsticksβ before parentheses so it makes more sense. Thank you and enjoy the recipe!
Vita says
Made this today and turned out so yummy! Thank you for the recipe.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I'm glad to hear that. We make this pretty often, especially during apple season. You are very welcome and thank you for your feedback.
Lily says
I have made this apple zapekanka before and will be making it again tomorrow, definitely a keeper recipe! Perfect for the fall weather!! π
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I agree! I'm making this as we speak. It never gets old, and definitely a perfect way to use up all the harvested apples. Thanks dear for awesome feedback!
Susan says
My grandma used to make something like this for Easter but it was made with ham - no apples or sweet ingredients.
Anyone ever hear of a recipe like that?
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
That would be nice to know. I've never heard of a recipe like that.
Luda says
Can I make this the night before and stick it in the oven in the morning?
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I've never done, but I don't think anything will happen to it. Share the results with me if you ever refrigerate it over night. Appreciate you comment Luda π
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
I remember this from my childhood. So yummy:)
valya'stasteofhome.com says
It is yummy and healthy too. Thanks Ilona π
Nadia says
Great recipe. It does bring lots of childhood memories. My grandma used to make it for us all the time. It was the best, of course. π One question though, what is the purpose of a margarine in this recipe? I don't use it at all and plan on using just butter instead. I might increase the amount a bit. It should give me the same result, correct? Thanks
valya'stasteofhome.com says
You can also use only butter. Thanks for stopping by Nadia. π
Larisa says
Thanks for posting this recipe (two in one π Valya! I actually thought of making zapekanka today, but never got a recipe with good measurements....it's always "na glaz" how they like to say, lol. Will definitely try it out. One with apples sounds delicious.
valya'stasteofhome.com says
I'm glad I've got the recipe just on time for you. Let me know how you like it. I love warm zapekanka with apples and cold milk to go with it. π