Tolstoy's Pastilles

Take one-half measure of apples [about a 16-24 medium apples], bake them on a sheet, grate them and then put them on ice. The next day, add 2 1/2 pounds of sugar and 10 egg whites, first whipping them up in a tub until the whole mass turns white and rises.  

Place in paper boxes, lined with sheets [likely this means boxes made of parchment suitable for baking and placed on baking sheets] and place in an oven at the lowest temperature (e.g. still warm from bread-making, about 250 degrees) until ready [until the confection solidifies]. Sometimes you may have to put it back in the oven a second time.

It is possible to bake it as layers on canvas sheets, and then combine them. [Alternatively, you can spread the mass on a sheet of canvas and then carefully cut the individual confections when they come out of the oven, so as not to compress the candy.]

*This recipe is reputedly Sonia Tolstoy’s. It has been adapted to modern measures, though not tested before press time. Check our blog for an update...