Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Make the batter: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla.
Add the dry ingredients alternately with milk, mixing until smooth.
Assemble: Spread half of the batter into the prepared pan. Spread fruit preserves evenly (or scatter fresh fruit over). Top with the remaining batter, smoothing gently.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool & Dust: Let cool completely before cutting into squares. Dust generously with powdered sugar.
✨ Serving Tip: These are delicious with coffee or tea, and the flavor gets even better the next day.
Would you like me to also give you the yeast-dough version (more like a sweet bread layered with fruit), which is another traditional Hungarian take on fruit squares?
