I Made My Childhood’s Favorite Hungarian Dessert – And You Should Too

Hungarian Máglyarakás (Apple & Meringue Bread Pudding)

A comforting, layered dessert with soft pastry, warm apples, and sweet clouds of meringue.

What is Máglyarakás?

Máglyarakás (literally “funeral pyre”) may sound dramatic, but it’s actually one of Hungary’s most comforting and nostalgic desserts.
It’s a warm baked pudding made with leftover sweet bread (usually kalács), layered with apples, custard, jam, and topped with a golden, fluffy meringue.

Think of it as Hungary’s soulful answer to apple pie meets French toast — with meringue on top.

🕒 Prep Time: 45 min

🔥 Bake Time: 50 min

🍽️ Serves: 6–8

🧺 Ingredients

🥚 For the custard base:

  • 1 whole egg

  • 3 egg yolks

  • 50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar

  • 50 g (3½ tbsp) melted butter + extra for greasing

  • 300 ml (1¼ cups) milk

  • 300 ml (1¼ cups) heavy cream

  • 1½ loaves of kalács or brioche (~500 g), sliced

🧀 For the cottage cheese layer:

  • 500 g (2 cups) cottage cheese

  • 2 egg yolks

  • 50 g (¼ cup) powdered sugar

🍏 For the apple layer:

  • 3 apples, peeled and thinly sliced

  • Juice of ½ lemon

  • 40 g (3 tbsp) granulated sugar

  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon

  • 50 g (⅓ cup) raisins

  • 50 ml (3 tbsp) rum (for soaking)

☁️ For the meringue topping:

  • 5 egg whites

  • 100 g (½ cup) granulated sugar

  • 80 g (¾ cup) ground walnuts

🎀 For decoration:

  • 1 apple, thinly sliced

  • Powdered sugar for dusting

🍳 Instructions

1. Soak the raisins in rum and set aside.

2. Make the custard base:
In a bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolks, sugar, melted butter, milk, and cream. Set aside.

3. Mix the cottage cheese layer:
Combine cottage cheese, egg yolks, and powdered sugar in a bowl. Stir until smooth.

4. Prepare the apple layer:
Peel and slice the apples. Toss with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside.

🧈 Assembly & Baking:

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F). Butter a deep baking dish.

  2. Slice the kalács and dip each slice into the milk mixture.

  3. Layer 1: Place a layer of soaked kalács slices at the bottom of the dish.

  4. Layer 2: Add a layer of cinnamon apples, scatter the rum-soaked raisins on top.

  5. Layer 3: Another layer of soaked kalács slices.

  6. Layer 4: Spread the cottage cheese mixture evenly.

  7. Final layer: Finish with another layer of soaked kalács.

  8. Bake for 40 minutes at 160°C (320°F).

☁️ Finishing Touch:

  1. While baking, beat the egg whites into stiff peaks, gradually adding the sugar.

  2. Gently fold in the ground walnuts using a spatula.

  3. After the 40 minutes, spread the walnut meringue evenly over the top of the pudding.

  4. Increase the oven temperature to 180°C (355°F) and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the meringue is golden.

🍎 To serve:

Let cool slightly, decorate with thin apple slices and dust generously with powdered sugar.
Enjoy warm or at room temperature — each bite is layered nostalgia with a cloud of sweetness on top.

💬 Ever tried a Hungarian dessert before? This one will impress your guests — and your inner child. Let me know if you try it! ✨