Pennsylvania Dutch Apricot Noodle Pudding

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Mother’s Day without my mother is a difficult day. It comforts me to spend time working in the garden, remembering where my mother was so content. In the past five years since she died, I have made this a tradition, planting something special in her memory. This year, it was basil plants in the herb garden and four new tubs of spring flowers on our deck.

Last Sunday, I felt I needed a little more comfort after all that gardening – in the form of dessert. I remembered how Mama used to make this apricot noodle pudding, a Pennsylvania Dutch recipe she used to prepare for our family when I was young. I made it off my mother’s dented and smeared recipe card, adding only a pinch of cardamom and some vanilla to put my signature on it. When the pudding began to brown a bit too quickly, I played with both the cooking time and the oven temperature.

It is times like this that I wonder what my mother would have thought about my food blog, a tribute to her cooking lessons and kitchen memories. Would she realize how she still guides me, even now, in the remodeled kitchen she never set foot in?

Serves 6-8

  • 8 ounces egg noodles (half of a one-pound bag)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 12-ounce jar apricot preserves
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for greasing baking dish)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain in colander.

3. Using a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together.

4. Add the cooked noodles, apricot preserves, sour cream, cottage cheese, raisins, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon and cardamom. Mix well.

5. Turn into a 2-quart buttered baking dish. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top.

6. Bake 35 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.

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28 Responses to Pennsylvania Dutch Apricot Noodle Pudding

  1. TasteFood May 16, 2012 at 1:13 pm #

    What a warm and comforting recipe; I understand why you decided to make it. I love the photo of the recipe card.

    • lizthechef May 16, 2012 at 1:20 pm #

      Thanks, Lynda, those old recipes are treasures to me.

  2. Beth (OMG! Yummy) May 16, 2012 at 1:22 pm #

    Hi Liz – I love the old recipe and your update of it. Funny – noodle pudding or kugel as my family calls it was a side dish I grew up with. My mom made it very simply with raisins, eggs, oil, and cinnamon. I’ve expanded over the years to try different variations but the basic will always be engrained in my memories of my mom’s kitchen. The apricot preserves sound wonderful in it!

    • lizthechef May 16, 2012 at 1:36 pm #

      Yes, the apricot jam really turns it into a dessert. My Mom also made a version of this with more cottage cheese, no sugar and fresh dill.

  3. Wendy Read (@Sunchowder) May 16, 2012 at 1:42 pm #

    It’s a KUGLE! So delightful with the addition of apricot jam. The photos are great, especially the old recipe card. My mom did a variation with sour cream, cottage cheese, cinnamon, sugar and raisins. I love the way you write about your Mom, she would have loved your new kitchen 🙂 XO

    • lizthechef May 16, 2012 at 1:47 pm #

      “Kugle” “Kugel” – yes, fits with the PA Dutch style – really a German cuisine.

  4. current vintage May 16, 2012 at 1:43 pm #

    I love the sound of this recipe! Who knew pasta could be such a great dessert….you, of course!!

  5. The Wimpy Vegetarian May 17, 2012 at 7:51 am #

    This is a lovely post Liz. I always think of your mom smiling every time you do a post on your blog. She may not have seen your remodeled kitchen, but she’s with you everyday there at your brand new gorgeous stove. I love this recipe. It will be a perfect dessert to make for a 4th of July party we’re going to hosted by a German couple. They will LOVE it!!! And will we.

    • lizthechef May 17, 2012 at 8:13 am #

      Thanks, Susan – Larry had 3 helpings – and didn’t gain an ounce, of course…

      • The Wimpy Vegetarian May 17, 2012 at 5:47 pm #

        That’s just so unfair! 🙂

        • lizthechef May 17, 2012 at 6:11 pm #

          X0 Did I mention I am up to my 4th spinning class? Your basic nightmare – even the music bothers me, the oldster 😉

      • Elizabeth May 17, 2012 at 6:39 pm #

        4th spinning class? Way to go. I am impressed.

        • lizthechef May 17, 2012 at 7:45 pm #

          I feel sick after class. Teacher blames it on “lactid acid”. Keep boosting me. This tough stuff.

      • Elizabeth May 18, 2012 at 6:24 am #

        I feel sick just thinking about doing a spin class. Keep it up.

  6. Elizabeth May 17, 2012 at 9:32 am #

    I bet your mother would feel very honored by your blog. What a great recipe and with stuff that you may have around the house. I forget to make noodles savory. Good call. Thanks.

    • lizthechef May 17, 2012 at 10:18 am #

      Actually, with all the jam, this is quite sweet.

      • Elizabeth May 18, 2012 at 6:23 am #

        I meant sweet, not making noodles only savory. Jeez, my brain…it made sense there.

  7. familyspice May 18, 2012 at 6:34 am #

    I’ve typically only had the Jewish noodle kugel, and even then there’s quite a variety. I love the idea of using apricot preserves!

    • lizthechef May 18, 2012 at 8:02 am #

      Laura, I think a kugel is just about the same as my mom’s recipe – will have to research a bit.

  8. Norma Chang May 18, 2012 at 4:53 pm #

    Funny, I never of thought of using noodles for dessert. That sounds yummy.

    • lizthechef May 18, 2012 at 5:07 pm #

      It’s very German to make a dessert with jam and noodles – pretty good, I think. Nice to hear from you again.

  9. sippitysup (@sippitysup) May 19, 2012 at 5:39 pm #

    Kugle with a prettier name! GREG

    • lizthechef May 20, 2012 at 2:44 pm #

      Thanks, Greg…I had not put that together before this post.

  10. Elaine Bu halter September 23, 2014 at 10:57 am #

    Do you cover the noodle pudding when baking?

    • Liz September 23, 2014 at 12:57 pm #

      No need to cover.

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