Zapekanka (Ukrainian Baked Rice Pudding)
This zapekanka recipe is a Ukrainian classic! This baked rice pudding’s sweet, satisfyingly soft, and smooth texture makes it a perfect choice for a comforting family treat.
There are two versions of zapekanka, and I’ll share both of them with you today. The plain version, a traditional favorite, is a wonderful choice for those looking to savor the original flavor. However, my personal favorite is the sweet apple version, which I find irresistible.
Zapekanka is a beloved dish in Ukrainian cuisine, much like nalisniki, sirniki, and waffle cake, all of which are adored for their comforting, wholesome flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Family Favorite: This zapekanka recipe is a family favorite, that’s comforting and nostalgic.
- Classic Ukrainian Dish: This recipe is a perfect starting point if you want to try Ukrainian cuisine.
- Comfort Food: There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm, homemade pudding. This Zapekanka is the definition of comfort food.
- Simple Ingredients: With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious and wholesome dessert. This recipe is all about simplicity and flavor.
Key Ingredients
All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this Zapekanka recipe at home. Let’s look at them in more detail:
- Long Grain Rice: The main ingredient of our recipe, it provides a hearty base and a comforting, creamy texture.
- Granny Smith Apples: These apples add a beautiful tartness to our sweet Zapekanka, balancing out the sugar and cinnamon for a delicious flavor contrast.
- Unsalted Butter: This ingredient adds a rich, creamy texture and a comforting, buttery flavor to our dish (the old picture shows Imperial margarine, I don’t use it any longer).
- Granulated Sugar: It’s the key ingredient that gives our Zapekanka its delicately sweet flavor.
For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.
Substitutions and Variations
This delicious Zapekanka recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you’re looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:
- Without Apples: If you’re not a fan of apples, you can simply omit them from the recipe. The Zapekanka will still be deliciously creamy and sweet, thanks to the sugar and vanilla. This variation is perfect for those who prefer a simpler, fruit-free dessert.
- Warm Spices: For a cozy, fall-inspired version, you can add some warm spices like nutmeg and allspice to the recipe. These spices will add a comforting, aromatic flavor to the Zapekanka.
- Other Fruit: While this recipe calls for Granny Smith apples, you can experiment with other fruits as well. Try using pears for a slightly sweeter and softer texture, or cranberries for a tart twist. Just make sure the fruit you choose is firm enough to hold its shape during the baking process.
How to Make Zapekanka
Making this incredible Zapekanka is easier than you think. Here’s how to make them at home step by step:
How to Prep Zapenkanka
Rinse the Rice: Start by rinsing the rice well. Set it aside.
Boil the Milk: Preheat your oven to 375 F. Add milk to a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil on the stovetop, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning.
Add the Rice: Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the rice. Let the rice boil and absorb all the milk.
Transfer the Rice to a Pan: Once the rice is cooked, transfer it from the saucepan to a large glass baking pan.
Add Butter: Spread the unsalted butter, cut into cubes, over the rice.
Add the Sugar and Salt: Then, add the granulated sugar and salt to the pan. Stir everything together until it’s well combined.
Mix in the Eggs: Next, mix in the eggs until they are fully incorporated into the mixture.
Prep the Apples: Wash, peel, and slice the Granny Smith apples. I find that using an onion chopper to chop the apples works well. If you don’t have one, you can purchase one from my Shop categories.
Add to Rice Mixture: Add the chopped apples to the rice mixture and mix them in until everything is well combined.
Add Flavorings: Add pure vanilla extract and sprinkle in ground cinnamon. Mix everything well to ensure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
How to Bake Zapekanka
Bake the Zapekanka: Place your Zapekanka in the preheated oven and bake it at 375 F for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until it’s golden brown.
Let it Cool and Serve: Remove the Zapekanka from the oven and let it cool for 30 minutes before serving. This Ukrainian baked rice pudding is best enjoyed warm, served with a cold cup of milk.
Enjoy the comfort and nostalgia of this simple, authentic, and delicious Zapekanka recipe!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Tips
- Choose the Right Rice: For this Zapekanka recipe, it’s best to use long-grain rice. It has a light and fluffy texture, which pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
- Rinse the Rice: Before cooking, make sure to rinse the rice well. This will remove any excess starch and prevent the Zapekanka from becoming too sticky.
- Be Patient While Cooking the Rice: Allow the rice to absorb all the milk and cook on low/medium heat. This will make sure that the rice is fully cooked and has a creamy consistency.
- Let it Cool Before Serving: After baking, let the Zapekanka cool for 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the dish to set, resulting in a better texture and flavor.
- Choose the Right Apples: Granny Smith apples are recommended for this recipe due to their tart flavor and firm texture. However, you can substitute with other tart apples if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zapekanka is a traditional Ukrainian dish. It is a type of baked pudding or casserole that is commonly made with ingredients like rice, milk, and eggs. The dish has been a staple in Eastern European cuisine for many years, and it is known for its comforting and hearty nature.
Yes, you can. While Granny Smith apples are recommended for their tart flavor and firm texture, you can substitute them with other tart apples like Braeburn or Honeycrisp. Just make sure the apples you choose are firm enough to hold their shape during the baking process.
Absolutely! You can add raisins, dried cranberries, or even nuts to add a bit of texture and flavor to the Zapekanka. Just make sure to not add too much, as it can alter the overall texture of the dish.
Serving Suggestions
- Looking for a sweet treat? Drizzle your Zapekanka with a generous serving of caramel sauce and enjoy it as a dessert. The rich, creamy Zapekanka pairs perfectly with the sweet and sticky caramel.
- For a refreshing twist, serve your Zapekanka with a side of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This light and airy topping compliments the hearty Zapekanka, making it a great option for a snack or light dessert.
- Craving something crunchy? Try serving your Zapekanka with a handful of toasted almonds on top. The nutty flavor and crunch of the almonds add a delicious contrast to the soft and creamy Zapekanka.
How to Store Leftovers
- Storing: Once your Zapekanka has cooled to room temperature, you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator. Simply place it in an airtight container or a regular container tightly sealed with plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
- Freezing: Unfortunately, this Zapekanka recipe does not freeze well due to the high dairy content. When frozen and thawed, the texture can become grainy and the flavors may not be as rich.
Zapekanka (Ukrainian Baked Rice Pudding)
Ingredients
- 6 cups whole milk
- 3 cups long grain rice
- 8 oz unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 5 large Granny Smith apples
Instructions
How to Prep Zapenkanka
- Start by rinsing the rice well. Set it aside.
- Preheat your oven to 375 ℉. Add milk to a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil on the stovetop, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning.
- Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the rice. Let the rice boil and absorb all the milk.
- Once the rice is cooked, transfer it from the saucepan to a large glass baking pan.
- Spread the unsalted butter, cut into cubes, over the rice.
- Then, add the granulated sugar and salt to the pan. Stir everything together until it's well combined.
- Next, mix in the eggs until they are fully incorporated into the mixture.
- Wash, peel, and slice the Granny Smith apples. I find that using an onion chopper to chop the apples works well. If you don't have one, you can purchase one from my Shop categories.
- Add the chopped apples to the rice mixture and mix them in until everything is well combined.
- Add pure vanilla extract and sprinkle in ground cinnamon. Mix everything well to ensure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
How to Bake Zapekanka
- Place your Zapekanka in the preheated oven and bake it at 375 ℉ for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until it's golden brown.
- Remove the Zapekanka from the oven and let it cool for 30 minutes before serving. This Ukrainian baked rice pudding is best enjoyed warm, served with a cold cup of milk.
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This recipe was originally posted on May 22, 2015 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
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.
You can cover the pan during baking to prevent that. Thank you for your feedback!
Looks delicious. How would the baking time differ if I cut the recipe in half? Thanks
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.
Looks so yummy!! It says 2 sticks of 8oz. Butter. Regular sticks are 4oz. (8tbsp) Is this correct?
Hi Angie. It’s 2 (4 oz each) sticks or 8 oz total of butter. I’ll move word “sticks” before parentheses so it makes more sense. Thank you and enjoy the recipe!
Made this today and turned out so yummy! Thank you for the recipe.
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.
I have made this apple zapekanka before and will be making it again tomorrow, definitely a keeper recipe! Perfect for the fall weather!! 🙂
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!
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?
That would be nice to know. I’ve never heard of a recipe like that.
Can I make this the night before and stick it in the oven in the morning?
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 🙂
I remember this from my childhood. So yummy:)
It is yummy and healthy too. Thanks Ilona 🙂
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. 😉 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
You can also use only butter. Thanks for stopping by Nadia. 🙂
Thanks for posting this recipe (two in one 😉 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.
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. 🙂