Tufahija (Bosnian Stuffed Poached Apples)
In short: Whole apples poached in lemon syrup, filled with sweet ground walnuts and topped with whipped cream, a classic Bosnian dessert served chilled. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 465 kcal
Tufahija is one of the best-known Bosnian desserts, found in bakeries and restaurants and at celebrations. Firm apples are peeled, cored, gently poached in sugar syrup and filled with a mix of ground walnuts, sugar and a little syrup. They are chilled and served with a swirl of whipped cream. Choose apples that hold their shape, and poach them gently so they stay whole and tender, not mushy.
Instructions
- Peel the apples and keep the stems if they have them. Core each one from the top with a corer or small spoon, leaving a 1 cm (1/2 in) wall and base. Trim the bottoms so they stand upright, and drop them into cold water with 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice.
- Bring the water, sugar, lemon peel, cinnamon stick and the remaining lemon juice to a boil in a wide pot. Simmer for 3 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved.
- Stand the apples upright in the syrup, cover loosely and poach at a gentle simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, basting the tops now and then, until a knife slides in easily but the apples hold their shape.
- Lift the apples out carefully with a slotted spoon onto a tray. Boil the syrup for 5 more minutes to thicken it slightly, then cool it.
- Stir the ground walnuts, 3 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cooled syrup into a thick, moist paste. Fill the apples, mounding the filling slightly.
- Chill the apples for at least 2 hours, with a little syrup spooned around them.
- Whip the cream with 1 tablespoon of sugar to soft peaks. Top each apple with a swirl of cream and a few chopped walnuts.
Tips
- Choose firm, tart apples that keep their shape when cooked. Soft eating apples collapse in the syrup.
- Keep the leftover syrup in the fridge for up to a week and use it over yogurt or pancakes.
Questions and answers
Can I make tufahija ahead of time?
Yes. Poach and fill the apples up to 2 days ahead and keep them chilled in a covered container with a little syrup. Add the cream just before serving.
What can I use instead of walnuts?
Ground hazelnuts or almonds work well. Use the same weight, and add a pinch of cinnamon if you like.
Why did my apples fall apart?
They were either too soft or boiled too hard. Choose firm, tart apples, keep the syrup below a steady simmer and lift them out as soon as a knife slides in easily.
How long does it take to make Tufahija (Bosnian Stuffed Poached Apples)?
About 55 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tufahija (Bosnian Stuffed Poached Apples)?
About 465 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 48 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 465 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 42 g |
| Sodium | 15 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
