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Small Pastries

Zefir Christmas Trees (Russian Apple Meringues)

An unexpected Christmas sweet that surprises everyone: it comes from Russia and looks like meringue, but it is made... with apple puree!
Recipe Zefir Christmas Trees (Russian Apple Meringues)
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Preparation 15 minutes
  • Cooking 10 minutes
  • Servings for 12 people

Tired of the usual Christmas Desserts? Try your hand at Zefir Christmas Trees: a recipe of Russian origin, among the most popular and best-loved in the country.

What is zefir? It is a sweet made with apple puree, with a texture similar to Marshmallows but a shape that looks like Meringue. Just don’t tell a Russian that their beloved Zefir resembles an American candy: they would be quite offended, since its origins go all the way back to a sweet called Pastila, made since the 14th century. 

The ingredient that turned Pastila into Zefir (named after the Greek god of the wind, Zephyrus) is Egg White. To make these homemade treats you will also need Fruit Puree, Sugar and Agar Agar. Depending on the fruit you choose, you will get a different color: to make Zefir Christmas Trees you can use either Kiwi Pulp, strained to remove the little black seeds, or Apple Pulp with a touch of Green Food Coloring. We will go with the second method, which is quicker and has a neutral flavor everyone likes. 

If you are looking for other Christmas Recipes from beyond Italy’s borders, try Original German Stollen, Snickerdoodle Cookies and Christmas Mince Pies.

Ingredients for 12 people

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Method

  1. To make the Zefir Christmas Trees, first make the fruit puree. Peel the apples, cut them into small pieces and put them in a pot with a couple of tablespoons of water.
    Zefir Christmas Trees, step 1: peeled apple pieces in a pot with a little water
  2. Cook until soft, then blend with an immersion blender to get a puree. It should be fairly thick; if it isn’t, put it back on the heat to reduce.
    Zefir Christmas Trees, step 2: apples blended into a thick puree
  3. Measure out 125 g of it and transfer it to a skillet with the sugar, cooking until the sugar has completely dissolved, then let it rest in a cool place for a couple of hours. It must be completely cold when you make the zefir.
  4. Then add the egg white, also well chilled, and a touch of green food coloring, and beat with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy.
    Zefir Christmas Trees, step 4: apple puree, egg white and green coloring beaten until fluffy
  5. Set aside and make the syrup by putting the water, the sugar and the agar agar in a small saucepan. Cook for about 7 minutes from when it comes to a boil, until you get a sticky syrup.
    Zefir Christmas Trees, step 5: water, sugar and agar agar syrup in a small saucepan
  6. Pour it immediately into the fruit and egg white mixture, beating at medium speed, still with the electric mixer, until it is absorbed.
  7. Transfer everything to a pastry bag with a star tip and pipe small mounds of zefir onto each cookie. Let the zefir set in the open air for 6-12 hours, until it has dried completely, then serve. You will be amazed at how good this treat is! Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!
    Zefir Christmas tree cut open

Variations and Alternatives

Zefir can be made with any kind of fruit. Originally it came only in white, pink, and pink and white. It is important, though, that apples make up at least 2/3 of the total weight of the fruit.

If you want to use kiwi, as mentioned in the introduction, to give it a green color, replace one apple with two ripe kiwis.

Storage

Zefir Christmas Trees keep in the fridge for one week. Alternatively, you can freeze them.

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