Pastila
Russian Fruit Paste
A historic Russian confection, Pastila is an airy, dried fruit paste with a delicate texture. This recipe focuses on a classic apple-based version.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Apple purée(Use a very thick, unsweetened apple purée. You can make this by baking or simmering apples until very soft, then processing until smooth and cooking down any excess moisture until it's the consistency of thick jam.)
- 2 large Egg whites(Ensure egg whites are at room temperature for best volume when whipping.)
- 200 g Granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp Honey(Adds a subtle depth of flavor and helps with texture.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the apple purée: Ensure your apple purée is very thick and smooth. If it's too watery, cook it down in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches a consistency similar to thick jam. Let it cool completely.
⏱️ 30 minutes (active prep, if purée is already made) - 2
Whip the egg whites: In a clean, dry bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the granulated sugar, a tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat. Increase speed to high and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form, and the mixture is thick and marshmallow-like. This can take 10-15 minutes with a stand mixer.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Combine purée and meringue: Gently fold the cooled apple purée and honey into the whipped egg whites until just combined. Be careful not to deflate the meringue too much. The mixture should be light and airy.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Spread and dry: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheets in a thin layer, about 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) thick. You can use a spatula to smooth the tops. Place the baking sheets in an oven preheated to 60°C (140°F).
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Drying process: Allow the pastila to dry in the oven for 8-12 hours, or until it is firm to the touch and no longer sticky. The exact time will depend on your oven and the thickness of the pastila. You can prop the oven door open slightly with a wooden spoon to allow moisture to escape.
⏱️ 8-12 hours - 6
Assemble the pastila: Once dried, carefully peel the pastila off the parchment paper. If you are making layered pastila, spread a thin layer of the fresh pastila mixture (before drying) onto a dried sheet, then stack another dried sheet on top. Repeat as desired. Alternatively, cut the dried pastila into desired shapes.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 7
Final drying (optional): If stacking layers, you may need to return the assembled pastila to the oven for another hour or two to ensure it's fully set. Once cooled, cut into portions.
⏱️ 1-2 hours (optional)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Kolomna pastila is a famous, historically significant variation known for its exceptionally light and airy texture.
- ✓This is an old Russian sweet, often prepared during apple harvest season.
- ✓The key to an authentic airy texture is proper whipping of the egg whites and thorough drying.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Use other fruit purées like plum, berry, or apricot for different flavors.
- For a vegan version, you can experiment with aquafaba (chickpea brine) instead of egg whites, though the texture may vary.