Apple Cookie Rolls

(Elmali Kurabiye)

Dough:
250 ml unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tbsp Turkish yogurt, plain
Zest of half lemon
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour, all purpose
1/2 tsp baking powder

Filling:
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, grated
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup walnuts or hazelnuts, crumbled

To prepare the filling; cook the apple and sugar until all water evaporates. Turn the heat off. Then add the cinnamon and the nuts, stir well. Let it cool down.

To make the dough; knead all the ingredients in a large bowl. Make sure everything is well mixed and divide it into 10 or 12 pieces. Make chestnut sized balls with your hands. Then flat them in your palm. Place one tablespoon of filling on top of every piece of dough and close the opposing sides by folding. Arrange them on the oven tray covered with parchment paper.

Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C) and bake for about 25 minutes. Immediately sprinkle some powdered sugar on top using a small strainer after you take them out of the oven.

Makes 18-20 Apple Cookie Rolls.