National Dish Austria: Redcurrant Slices (Recipe)
In this article
Meet Redcurrant Slices, a bright jewel of the Austrian dessert table. These fruity little squares balance a tart burst of berries against a light, tender sponge, giving you a treat that feels both refreshing and indulgent. Easy enough for an everyday bake yet pretty enough for a special occasion, they are the kind of sweet that brightens a lazy afternoon over coffee. Bring a taste of an Austrian summer kitchen straight to your own table.
About Redcurrant Slices
Redcurrant Slices are a true highlight of Austrian dessert cooking. These fruity squares offer not only a refreshing flavour but also a striking balance between tartness and sweetness. The combination of red redcurrants and a delicate sponge base makes them a favourite for special occasions and cosy afternoons alike. Better still, they are relatively simple to put together and call for very little in the way of advanced baking skills.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 200 g redcurrants
- 100 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 100 g plain flour
- 1 sachet baking powder
- 50 g butter
- 1 pinch of salt
Shopping for the ingredients
To make truly delicious redcurrant slices at home, it is worth picking up your ingredients from a well-stocked supermarket or a farmers’ market. Make sure the red redcurrants are fresh, as this has a real bearing on the flavour of the finished dessert. The other ingredients — sugar, eggs and flour — are usually available all year round. The fresher your produce, the more flavoursome the end result will be.
Preparing the dish
Getting redcurrant slices ready is straightforward and takes only a few steps. First, rinse the redcurrants thoroughly and strip them from their stalks where needed. While you do this, preheat the oven to 180°C so it reaches the ideal temperature for baking. Once everything is ready, you can start on the sponge base that forms the perfect foundation for the fruity topping.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Beat the eggs with the sugar until pale and foamy.
- Add the flour and baking powder and mix together well.
- Stir in the melted butter and add a pinch of salt.
- Gently fold the redcurrants through the batter.
- Pour the batter into a greased tin and smooth it level.
- Bake in the preheated oven for around 25–30 minutes.
- Once cooled, cut into pieces and serve.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
For a gluten-free version of the Redcurrant Slices, simply swap the wheat flour for gluten-free flour. Many brands offer special blends that bake beautifully. You can also use lactose-free butter or margarine to make the slices enjoyable for people with a lactose intolerance. These tweaks are easy to manage and barely affect the flavour.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
A vegan version of the slices is just as achievable. Instead of eggs, use plant-based alternatives such as apple purée or chia seeds to provide the binding. For the butter, vegan margarine or coconut oil both work well. With a little creativity, both vegans and vegetarians can enjoy these delightful slices. They sit happily alongside a fruit-filled bake like the Sour Cherry Slices.
More tips and tricks
There are plenty of ways to make your redcurrant slices even better. You could add a layer of vanilla cream or whipped cream as a filling to make the dessert richer still. A dusting of icing sugar gives an extra sweet lift and looks appealing too. Feel free to experiment with other berries, much as you would when baking a Currant Sponge Roll, to discover new flavour combinations.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
If you would like to adjust the recipe to your personal preference, try using different types of sugar to vary the flavour. Unrefined cane sugar or honey lend the batter a distinctive note. You can also experiment with spices such as cinnamon or vanilla to add extra dimensions of flavour. Don’t be shy about getting creative and shaping the recipe to your own taste!
Ingredient substitutions
If you don’t have flour to hand, you can use oat flour or almond flour to create an interesting texture. Depending on the season, the redcurrants can be swapped for other fruits such as raspberries or blueberries — the same kind of soft summer fruit that shines in an Apricot Slice. The sugar can likewise be replaced with agave syrup or stevia for a healthier take. This keeps the recipe flexible and adaptable to whatever ingredients are available.
Drink pairing ideas
Many different drinks pair beautifully with these delicious redcurrant slices. A fruity tea or a light white wine complements the sweet-and-sour note of the dessert perfectly. If you prefer something alcohol-free, a spritzer made with fresh fruit is a lovely choice. The right drink can heighten the flavours and round off the whole dessert experience.
Serving and presentation ideas
Thoughtful presentation can lift the enjoyment of your Redcurrant Slices even further. Serve the slices on a decorative plate and garnish them with fresh redcurrants or a sprig of mint. A glaze of melted chocolate or a dusting of icing sugar can enhance the dessert that little bit more. Remember to cut the slices into even pieces for an attractive finish.
A bit of history
The Redcurrant Slices have their origins in traditional Austrian cooking, where fresh fruit was often worked into desserts. These slices are especially popular in the summer months, when the redcurrants are ripe. Originally conceived as simple home cooking, they have since become a classic dessert in many cafés and restaurants, a hallmark of Austrian cuisine. At festivals and celebrations, too, redcurrant slices are a sought-after treat that goes down well with young and old alike.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Redcurrant Slices
The Redcurrant Slices are a delicious and traditional Austrian dessert that delights with fresh redcurrants. They are simple to prepare and offer an ideal balance between sweetness and tartness. Whether served with coffee, at celebrations or simply as a snack to enjoy in between, these slices are wonderfully versatile. With a few small adjustments, they can be made to suit every taste and every dietary need.
