Vargabeles with Poppy Seeds — My Cozy Dessert for a Rainy Weekend
This traditional Hungarian-inspired layered noodle pudding, enriched with creamy sour cream, lemon zest, and sweetened with honey, is a comforting treat perfect for slow weekend afternoons.
🍽 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Wide egg noodles | 250 g |
| Melted butter | 25 g |
| Eggs | 4 |
| Sugar | 175 g |
| Sour cream (25% fat) | 300 g |
| Lemon zest | From 1 lemon |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Raisins | 50 g |
| Ground poppy seeds | 50 g |
| Honey | 2 tablespoons |
| Butter (cubed) | 25 g |
🔪 Preparation Steps
- Cook noodles:
Boil noodles according to package instructions. Drain and mix with 25 g melted butter. Let cool. - Prepare raisins and poppy seeds:
Soak raisins in warm water (optional: add a splash of rum). Finely grind poppy seeds in a coffee grinder. - Separate eggs:
Separate yolks and whites into different bowls. - Make yolk mixture:
Beat yolks with 150 g sugar until pale and thick (about 5 minutes).
Fold in sour cream, vanilla, lemon zest, and drained raisins gently. - Whip egg whites:
Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 25 g sugar and beat until stiff peaks. - Combine mixtures:
Gently fold egg white foam into yolk mixture in three additions, careful not to deflate the foam. - Add noodles:
Add the yolk-egg white mixture to the noodles in three parts, folding gently to preserve airiness. - Layering:
In a 28 x 18 cm baking dish lined with parchment and lightly greased, layer as follows:- One-third of noodle mixture
- Half of ground poppy seeds sprinkled evenly
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon honey
- Half of remaining noodles
- Remaining poppy seeds
- Drizzle remaining honey
- Remaining noodles on top
- Dot with butter cubes evenly
- Bake:
Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 40 minutes until set and golden on top. - Cool and serve:
Let cool slightly before slicing. Delicious warm or cold. Cover with plastic wrap to keep moist; tastes great the next day.
💡 Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Use fresh lemon zest for bright citrus notes.
- Gently fold mixtures to keep the pudding light and fluffy.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt if desired.
🧾 Final Thoughts
Vargabeles is a comforting, subtly sweet layered noodle pudding perfect for sharing with family on rainy days or when you crave a nostalgic homemade dessert.