Old Czech Recipe – Zeml Baba – Sweet Cake

Hi guys,

I hope that you will enjoy this cake. It’s an old Czech recipe that my grandma and my mom used to make for us when we were kids. I remember my mom saying What shall we have for dinner kids? We have some milk, yesterday’s rolls and enough apples to make Zemlovka. My answer was always jooooo! (which means yeahhh). It’s so easy to make kids happy hey :) I know that it sounds strange, but it really never was a desert. It was actually a dinner or lunch and we would eat it warm. Now we eat just a little piece as a desert or with fruit for breakfast. We both prefer when it’s cold from the fridge, although Frederick is always dreaming about warm Zeml baba with vanilla ice cream :)

So here is the step by step recipe for czech Zemlovka:

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All you need is whole wheat bread chopped in smaller pieces (how much depends on the size of your casserole dish), milk, honey, maple sirup (optional), 2 apples, cinnamon,  and ginger.

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Soak the bread in the milk (we have 2%)

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Make a layer of the soaked bread on the bottom of the casserole dish. If you want you can drizzle some maple sirup over the top.

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Peel both apples.

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Grate the apples on the larger grating surface over the top of the first layer.

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Drizzle about 2 to 3 table spoons of honey over the grated apples.

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Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of Ginger and Cinnamon over the top.

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Cover the entire surface with walnuts and make a second layer from the soaked bread.

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You can drizzle more maple sirup or honey over the top (your choice) before you put it in the preheated owen. I baked it at 230°C for about 35 minutes.

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When the surface is light brown and crunchy, you can take it out of the owen and let it cool down.


Enjoy!

Zuzana and Frederick.

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105 Comments For This Post

  1. aCtive82 says:

    Looks very tasty :) but my suggestion is to add some vanilla sticks to the milk also use fresh blended ginger.
    then try to use Cashew nut and blended hazelnut’s.
    Greetings from Polland I’m your biggest fan !

  2. Monika says:

    No, takže jsem zbodla i druhou půlku pekáče! Ach jo… :-)

    K těm vejcím: Mně se právě líbí ta verze bez nich.

  3. ES says:

    Good morning F&Z,

    Looks great, I have to try it. My Grandma In Law was born there and shared a few memerable recipes with us. This reminds me of Plum Dumplings which like this is made for dinner but would make a great desert.

    My all time favorite though is a sweet bread or coffee cake called Buktha (please forgive spelling) my wife makes it for Xmas morning and I can’t wait for next year already!

  4. Martin says:

    Vynikající záležitost, babička dělá žemlovku taky :-)

    ahoj

  5. Albenna says:

    aaaaw…eating the peels was the cutest thing ever!!!!

  6. Agata says:

    Halo Zuzana,

    I’m a big fan of yours :) started your workouts about 1,5 Month ago, before I was regularly going to the gym. But I think your workouts are more fun the gym. Thank you for everything, and for the great recipe, will try that one too.

    Beast wishes from Poland

  7. Ericca says:

    Hi Zuzana.

    Currently cooking it, can’t wait to taste it :D

  8. Dulmaa says:

    hehe It is funny eating the peels. Actually it is cute. I always eat it like you. But when I see other people I never eat it just throws it away. Somehow reason I feel shameful. But it is not it is cute. hehe

  9. Dulmaa says:

    Anyway, thank you for the recipe. Absolutely, I should do it.

    from Japan

  10. Pamela says:

    I made this today and it smelled wonderful coming out of the oven. I do think I might have made a mistake when preparing it. Is the bottom of the dish, once cooked, supposed to be soggy bread? The top of the dish that was browned by the oven was delicious, but the bottom half wasn’t as appetizing. :(

    Thanks for sharing the recipe! It was fun and easy to make.

    • Hi Pamela,

      the bottom of the cake suppose to be doughy but not mushy. It sounds to me that you had too much milk at the bottom. Try to drain the excess of the milk the next time before you grate the apples.

  11. Maggy says:

    Hi Zuzana, can you tell us about your personal diet?

  12. spider says:

    hello zuzana how are you ,thanks for you tips that serve as much.i would like to answer my messages.
    thanks and blessings.
    greetings of mexico

  13. dag-ivar tofthagen. says:

    happy new yer hs norwai .go strong be couse u ar a bigg innsperation!!!!!!!!!!!

  14. Maciek says:

    Hey, is it really a traditional Czech recipe? Cause I’m from Poland, and maple syrup here is pretty exotic.
    You have to go to a deli to get it, as they’re really hard to find in supermarkets, not to mention local grocery shops.
    It’s not like I think you’re lying or anything, but I guess there is some alternative to the syrup that I Could actually find and not pay a lot of money for it. ;)
    Anyway great job with the workouts and recipe.

    Greetings from Poland, Central Europe FTW :)

    • Hi Maciek,

      The maple sirup is my own idea. My grandma wasn’t using it, but I am pretty sure that you could find maple sirup at stores even back then in Czech republic. I would have to ask my mom about this.

  15. Ella says:

    Ahoj Zuzi,
    celkem dost jíš obiloviny, jako pečivo, vločky, těstoviny… Co si třeba myslíš o dietě podle krevních skupin, dost se o tom teď diskutuje, např. já jako skupina 0 bych neměla jíst žádné obiloviny, mléko a mléčné výrobky,… Chtěla jsem se zeptat na tvůj názor :)

    Předem díky za odpověď….

    • Ahoj Ello,

      Pokud rozumis anglicky tak ti muzu doporucit precist si nase clanky v kategorii diet, protoze tam hodne mluvime o tom co si myslime o jidle a dietach. Ja zadnou dietu nedrzim a jim co mi chutna. Jedine co si hlidam jsou porce a take se snazim jist opravdove jidlo. Snazim se vyhybat chemicky upravenym a trvanlivym potravinam – to je asi to nejtezsi jelikoz v jakemkoliv obchode je takovych potravin uplne nejvic a ja nemam ty znalosti co mely nase babicky, ktere varily z vody.

      • Ella says:

        Děkuju za odpověď, určitě si všechno přečtu :)
        Moc tě obdivuju, že jsi se takhle sama dokázala vypracovat na celkem vysokou laťku, dost se o tobě u nás mluví :) Jen nikde neni napsáno, jak to všechno začalo, myslím, že by to nezajímalo jen mě, ale i všechny ostatní :)))))

        Jsi super …

  16. verča says:

    mňam… My tam dáváme ještě tvaroh…

  17. Nicky min says:

    Hi Zuzana! I tried the cake recipe and it was delicious!!! I made it for my whole family on sunday after church and my family is usualy not excited to eat at my house because they know it’s going to be healthy and they always think my food has now flavor. They say it taxte to healthy. I prepared the cake and they loved it. Thank You so much!!! (I think my family was suprised to because I dont bake)

  18. Samantha says:

    I just made this for dinner with the boyfriend’s parents and it was really good! I used vanilla in the milk and it was a good addition!

    Sam

  19. cassie says:

    Dear Zuzana and Fredrick,

    I found this recipe online..thought i would share it with you….

    Quinoa Porridge

    Bring variety to breakfast by skipping the oats and cooking up some healthy, protein-rich quinoa instead

    Ingredients

    1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
    1 cup water
    1/2 tsp cinnamon
    pinch of coarse salt
    1/2 cup low-fat milk or unsweetened soy milk
    1 small apple, diced
    1/2 cup blueberries or sliced strawberries
    1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
    1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
    Directions

    Add quinoa, water, cinnamon and salt to a small pot and bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until most of the water has been absorbed. Add milk and simmer uncovered for an additional 10 minutes. Stir in apple, berries and nuts. Let sit, covered for 10 minutes before serving. The porridge will thicken during this time. Drizzle with maple syrup before serving if desired

  20. Anneliis says:

    Good morning Zuzana!

    I tried this recipe in the weekend and it was beyond delicious. It was so good that I did it even twice. Because I am having my sweets-free month, it was even more comforting. I didn’t feel guilty eating it cause this does not categorize into my sweet-group.

    Thank you so much for this food,

    Anneliis

  21. TEXAS CINDY says:

    29 degrees F. this morning. Made the Zembl Baba,filled the house with a wonderful aroma. Just had some fresh out of the oven, soooooooo delicious! It’s perfect,not too sweet,just right. I didn’t have maple syrup so next time I’ll make it with,probably taste even better. Thanks,Zuzana.

  22. Michelle says:

    I can’t wait to make this, it looks so delicious! mmmmm!!!
    Thnx for sharing such a cherished recipe from your homeland.

  23. IV says:

    Ahoj Zuzko
    Gratuluji k vysoke sledovanosti, tvoje videa jsou opravdu skvela. Tipoval jsme te na Cesku hned po nekolika prvnich vetach a po tehle zemlovce je to jasne :-)Mimochodem, neni to vylozene ceska specialita, tohle je stare dobre Rakousko-Uhersko. Ale pisu ti hlavneproto, ze minuly patek jsme v poradu Uvolnete se prosim zahledl holku, co se ti zatracene podoba a rika si Julia Gaia Poupetova
    http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/ivysilani/1176221164-uvolnete-se-prosim/ a tohle jsou jeji webovky http://sexcoaching-gaia.blogspot.com/?zx=89a9e5b58d6fd348 Pokud to nejsi ty, tak mas nekde dvojce :-)

    • Tak to snad ani nemyslis vazne :)

      • iv says:

        no kdyz jsem tu tvoji “dvojnici” zahledl v televizi, tak jsme si rikal,odkud tu tvar znam, a pak jsme si vzpomnel na tebe. Mozna ze proto, ze ona dela “sexkoucink” a ty mas fakt sexy telo (a taky anglictinu :-D). Je zensky posilovani rad nemam, ale tobe to vylozene slusi. Takze preji vydrz a hodne dalsich uspechu :-)

      • Dudušik says:

        No tak, ja tam žiadnu podobnosť nevidím, nehľadiac na jej zameranie. Zuzane nesiaha ani po členky. Držím Ti, Zuzka veľmi palce :D

  24. Jimmy says:

    you look so beautifull in here…and i like your random smiles at the camera..so keep em comming :)

  25. Heather says:

    My 3 small kids even liked it! I though it was better reheated too!

  26. Kristen says:

    Awesome recipe…feels like you’re having something naughty but its healthy, whole food. I used unsweetended almond milk, whole wheat sliced bread, and agave nectar – those were my only difference. My whole family loved it for dessert and I enjoyed a nice piece for breakfast alongside my eggwhites and fresh berries! Thanks Zuzana for the great ideas!!!

  27. hipretty says:

    Am I the only person who cannot view this? Here OR on Youtube…I am starting to get a complex????

    ahh youtube finally loaded.

    How cute you corrected your self from saying Vit-a-min :-)

    My little boy still says vit-a-minky :-)

    My Babushka made something similar as well…but I am thinking she used egg/ I am surprised there is no egg. in yours..and it bakes up so nice and cohesive.

  28. Nicole says:

    Is this healthy?

  29. Melissa says:

    Very tasty!!

  30. Marie says:

    I just made this and it was great! My mother and sister loved it too.

    Do you know how many calories this is?

    Thanks for sharing your recipe!

  31. Wow, this looks delicious. I will give this a try this weekend – can’t wait! My grandmother (who lives just a few miles from the Czech Border on the German side) used to make something similar when I was a child.

  32. Gilbert says:

    It is not better to take bulb and cugar. I think apple and breat is not a good quality for the bowel.My idea:
    Apple–bulb
    Milk–Sojamilk with a little bit oil
    honey —brown cugar
    all other things are good

    Best wishes
    Gilbert

  33. Sarah says:

    Wonderful recipe! I made this for dessert tonight…it smelled like I was baking fresh bread in the oven! :) I did add a tad more honey before eating it…oops! Was delicious! Thank you

  34. julia says:

    hello =)
    it looks very tasty…
    but is that the whole thing you had eat this day?
    sorry, my English is bad, I know.

    best wishes
    julia (:

  35. leticia says:

    que bueno bodyrock!!!! lastima que no tiene traducción al español media pila

  36. Boya says:

    Ahoj Zuzanko,

    I have to say I love your website. Great tips, great exercises. I am also czech but living in Australia. I am a fitness instructor so I really appreciate what you are doing here. Zemlovka, the best, love it!! Keep up the great work. Great body by the way!!

  37. Katharine says:

    Do you know about how many calories this would be? I guess I could do the math myself, but I’m lazy. Also, do you think that it would taste good with vanilla hemp milk? Today is my birthday and I am making it for myself :)

  38. John says:

    Zuzana,

    Maybe a tab could be added, “Zuzana’s Recipe book”?

    Cassie’s breakfast recipe looks great. I’d like to share a favorite of mine. Nearly every morning my girlfriend and I make this. It’s simple, fast, and you can make this for your 10am meal as well.

    Ingredients:
    - 1/4 cup Rolled oats or Big Flakes of Oat meal
    - 5 or 6 eggs
    - Blender or food processor
    - 1 tsp Cinnamon
    - Pam (non stick spray)
    - 8-10″ Pancake Pan
    - Measuring cup
    - 1 tsp Peanut Butter

    Men – 5-6 egg whites
    Women – 4-5 egg whites

    - Crack the eggs, but only let out the whites into the blender. Again I use 5-6 eggs for the whites only.
    - Scoop 1/4 cup of oats into blender
    - 1 tsp cinnamon

    Blend until all looks blended (60 sec or 90 sec)

    Spray Pam or non-sticking spray to pan.

    Pour blended mix into pan and cook med-high.

    Since it’s a little bland coming out, use 1 tsp of peanut butter or a cup of your favorite yogurt to dip it in.

    Very light meal! Enjoy!

  39. Patricia says:

    Hi Zuzana, just discovered your blog and am loving all of the great exercises and recipes. I live in the UK and am doing the London Marathon again to raise money for Children with Leukaemia and to celebrate a very significant birthday, so your exercises are useful for my overall fitness. I am also doing kettlebell workouts. I have a great porridge recipe for lactose-intolerant folk: Quinoa flakes and millet porridge. Combine a couple of spoonfuls of quinoa flakes and one spoonful of millet flour in a breakfast bowl. Then stir in some cloudy apple juice, ensuring that there are no lumps. Add enough apple juice so that the mixture is very runny and about nearly half of the bowl. Put the bowl into the microwave and microwave for a few minutes and take out and stir to ensure that there are no lumps. Keep alternately microwaving and stirring until the mixture looks opaque and it is cooked. Should take about four to five minutes in total. If the mixture is too thick add a little more apple juice and stir until you have the consistency that you prefer. Microwave again. If you do not want to microwave, you can cook the mixture in a saucepan on your cooker over a medium heat. Let cool and then eat! It’s fruity and delicious.

  40. Honza says:

    Dobrý den,
    Ocenil jsem že se tu objeví fajn recept a odkaz na českou kuchyni. Ale netuším kde se v české kuchyni vzal zázvor a javorový sirup :) Pouze věcná poznámka…
    Přeji hodně úspěchů v budoucím snažení.

    Honza

  41. Melanie says:

    Hey!
    Always for doing it for the first time, it sucks but on the second one is a lot better! lol
    I put a lot of ginger the first one. You could imagine how it tastes it.

    Thanks for this recipe. My mom loves it. :-)

  42. TheLamutka says:

    OMG, Zuzana! This is soooo delicious! I’ve made it today and enjoyed it after workout. Yum!
    Thanks a lot for recipe!

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