Here’s a classic Hungarian recipe for Rakott Tészta (Baked Dessert Noodles) — a sweet, comforting layered noodle dessert with poppy seeds, raisins, and creamy custard.
Hungarian Baked Dessert Noodles (Rakott Tészta)
Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
For the noodles:
400 g (14 oz) egg noodles or wide pasta
Pinch of salt
For the filling:
200 g (1 cup) poppy seeds, ground
100 g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
150 ml (2/3 cup) milk
100 g (2/3 cup) raisins (optional, soaked in warm water or rum)
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the custard / cream:
500 ml (2 cups) milk
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp cornstarch or 1 egg yolk (to thicken)
For topping:
50 g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Cook the noodles:
Boil noodles in salted water according to package instructions until al dente.
Drain and set aside.
Prepare the poppy seed filling:
Heat milk in a small saucepan.
Stir in ground poppy seeds and sugar, cook gently for 3–4 minutes.
Add vanilla extract and raisins, mix well.
Let cool slightly.
Prepare the custard / cream:
In a small saucepan, mix cornstarch with a little milk to form a slurry.
Heat remaining milk with sugar and vanilla, then slowly whisk in the cornstarch mixture.
Cook until thickened, then let cool slightly.
Assemble the Rakott Tészta:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish.
Layer half of the cooked noodles on the bottom.
Spread half of the poppy seed mixture over the noodles.
Drizzle half of the custard over the poppy seeds.
Repeat layers with remaining noodles, poppy seed mixture, and custard.
Pour melted butter evenly over the top.
Bake:
Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden on top.
Remove from oven and let cool for 10–15 minutes.
Serve:
Cut into squares or rectangles.
Dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Tips:
You can substitute some poppy seeds with ground walnuts for a variation.
Rakott Tészta can be served warm or at room temperature.
Soaking raisins in rum or warm water makes them plump and juicy.
If you want, I can also make a short, shareable Facebook-style post for Rakott Tészta with a visually appealing description and step-by-step format to boost engagement.
