Bublanina
Bublanina: Czech bubbly sponge traybake with cherries
Czech grandmothers make bublanina the moment cherries ripen in June, and again with apricots or plums later in summer, baking it in a big tray for afternoon coffee in the garden. The name comes from the bubbles that form as the fruit sinks into the batter. It is a light, buttery sponge, golden at the edges, with pockets of juicy, sharp fruit and a snowfall of icing sugar on top; children love it warm. A common mistake is folding in the flour too hard, which knocks out the air and makes a tough cake; mix until just combined. Pitted fruit is easiest for little eaters. Chef's tip: toss the fruit in a spoon of flour before scattering it over, so it sits in the sponge instead of sinking to the bottom.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 4 oz buttermelted and cooled, plus extra for the tin
- 4 eggs
- 5 ½ oz caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 unwaxed lemonzest only
- ½ cup milk
- 9 oz plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tbsp icing sugarfor dusting
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan). Butter and line a 30 × 22 cm baking tin.
3 minStep 2: Whisk the 4 eggs, 5 ½ oz caster sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract with an electric whisk for 5 minutes, until pale, thick and doubled in volume.
5 minStep 3: Whisk in the 4 oz butter, ½ cup milk and 1 unwaxed lemon zest on low speed until just combined.
1 minStep 4: Sift over the 9 oz plain flour, 2 tsp baking powder and 1 pinch salt, keeping back 1 tbsp of flour, and fold in gently until no dry streaks remain.
2 minStep 5: Spread the batter in the tin. Toss the 14 oz cherries, pitted (or halved apricots or plums) in the reserved flour and scatter them evenly over the top.
3 minStep 6: Bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden and well risen, and a skewer in a fruit-free spot comes out clean.
35 minStep 7: Cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then dust with the 2 tbsp icing sugar and cut into squares.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 32 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bublanina take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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