Apple strudel is a classic, warm, and comforting dessert with a flaky pastry filled with sweet, spiced apples. Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe to make your own apple strudel at home:
Apple Strudel Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are great options)
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar (adjust depending on the sweetness of your apples)
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1/4 cup of raisins (optional)
- 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
- 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs (this helps absorb moisture and keeps the pastry crisp)
- 1 tablespoon of butter (melted, for the filling)
For the Dough:
- 1 package of phyllo dough (about 12 sheets) or strudel dough if you can find it
- 1/4 cup of melted butter (for brushing between layers of dough)
For the Topping:
- Powdered sugar (for dusting after baking)
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Filling:
- Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
- In a large bowl, mix the apples with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, raisins, and walnuts (if using).
- In a small skillet, melt the butter and toast the breadcrumbs for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Add the toasted breadcrumbs to the apple mixture and stir to combine.
-
Prepare the Phyllo Dough:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Unroll the phyllo dough on a clean surface, and cover the unused sheets with a damp towel to prevent them from drying out.
- Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a clean work surface and brush it lightly with melted butter. Place another sheet on top and brush it with butter again. Repeat this process, layering and buttering each sheet, until you’ve used about 6-8 sheets of dough.
-
Assemble the Strudel:
- Once the phyllo dough layers are stacked, spoon the apple filling along the long edge of the dough (leaving about an inch on each side).
- Carefully fold in the sides of the dough and then roll it up tightly from one edge to the other to form a long cylinder.
- Once rolled up, transfer the strudel to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, seam side down.
- Brush the top of the strudel with more melted butter.
-
Bake:
- Bake the strudel in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the phyllo dough is golden brown and crispy.
- If the strudel begins to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil and continue baking until fully cooked.
-
Serve:
- Once baked, let the apple strudel cool for a few minutes.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips:
- Dough: If you’re using phyllo dough, make sure to work quickly so it doesn’t dry out. You can also use puff pastry as an alternative, though it will have a slightly different texture.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the strudel a day ahead, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it. Just bake it the next day.
- Serve with Ice Cream: Apple strudel is delightful when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top.
Enjoy your warm, flaky, and aromatic Apple Strudel! It’s the perfect dessert for autumn, holidays, or any time you’re craving something sweet and comforting.