Apfelstrudel
A classic German Apfelstrudel featuring a delicate, paper-thin pastry encasing a warm, spiced apple filling. This recipe requires patience and a gentle touch for the dough, but the result is a truly rewarding dessert.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300 g Strudel dough(Homemade or good quality store-bought. If making from scratch, ensure it has rested sufficiently.)
- 1 kg Tart apples(Such as Granny Smith, Boskoop, or a mix. Peeled, cored, and thinly sliced.)
- 80 g Breadcrumbs(Panko or regular breadcrumbs.)
- 50 g Unsalted butter(For toasting breadcrumbs and brushing strudel.)
- 100 g Granulated sugar(Adjust to taste depending on apple sweetness.)
- 60 g Golden raisins(Optional, but traditional. Can be soaked in rum or warm water for 15 minutes beforehand.)
- 1 tbsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice(To prevent apples from browning and add brightness.)
- to taste Powdered sugar(For dusting after baking.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, gently toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, raisins (if using), and cinnamon. Mix well to ensure the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Toast the breadcrumbs: Melt 25g of the unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 3
Prepare the strudel dough: Lay a large, clean kitchen towel or a piece of parchment paper on a spacious, floured surface. Place the strudel dough in the center. Gently start stretching the dough from the center outwards, using the backs of your hands. Work slowly and carefully, aiming for a translucent sheet of dough that is as large as possible, about 2x3 feet. Trim any thick edges.
⏱️ 30-45 minutes - 4
Assemble the strudel: Brush the stretched dough generously with melted unsalted butter (about 25g). Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs evenly over the buttered dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Spoon the apple filling in a log shape over the breadcrumbs, along one of the long edges of the dough, about one-third of the way up from that edge.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Roll the strudel: Carefully fold the border of dough without filling over the filling. Then, using the towel or parchment paper, gently lift and roll the strudel tightly, encasing the filling. Pinch the ends to seal.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Bake the strudel: Carefully transfer the rolled strudel, seam-side down, onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the entire surface with the remaining melted butter. Bake in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 40-50 minutes, or until the pastry is deeply golden brown and crisp.
⏱️ 40-50 minutes - 7
Serve: Let the strudel cool on the baking sheet for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. Dust generously with powdered sugar just before serving. Apfelstrudel is best served warm.
⏱️ 20 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to authentic strudel is incredibly thin dough. If it tears slightly, don't worry, just patch it or strategically place the tear underneath when rolling.
- ✓Use a mix of apple varieties for a more complex flavor profile.
- ✓Ensure the dough is well-buttered before adding the filling and again before baking for a crisp, golden crust.
- ✓Allowing the strudel to rest after baking helps the filling set, making it easier to slice neatly.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Serve with a drizzle of vanilla sauce or crème anglaise.
- Accompany with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- Add a handful of chopped toasted almonds or walnuts to the apple filling for extra texture.