Description
A flaky, golden-crusted dessert filled with warm spiced apples, raisins, and nuts. German Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) is a traditional Austrian-German pastry best served warm and dusted with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
6 tart apples (like Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for toasting breadcrumbs)
8 sheets phyllo dough (or homemade strudel dough)
1/2 cup melted butter (for brushing dough)
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and optional nuts. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- In a skillet, toast the breadcrumbs in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until golden, about 3–5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- Lay one sheet of phyllo dough on a clean kitchen towel and brush with melted butter. Repeat with three more sheets, brushing each with butter.
- Sprinkle half of the toasted breadcrumbs over the layered phyllo. Spoon half of the apple mixture along one edge, leaving a 2-inch border.
- Using the towel, roll the dough over the filling, tucking in the sides as you go. Transfer the roll to the baking sheet seam-side down.
- Repeat steps 4–6 to make the second strudel.
- Brush both strudels with remaining melted butter.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
- Let cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with vanilla sauce or ice cream if desired.
Notes
Use a damp towel to keep phyllo sheets from drying out.
Pears or dried fruits like apricots or figs can be added to the filling.
Chocolate chips make a great variation for a richer taste.
Can be assembled ahead of time and baked later.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
To reheat, bake at 300°F (150°C) for 10–12 minutes.
Freezable before baking for future use.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
