Hello! Today, I'd love to share with you a recipe which I call 'Ultimate apple strudel'. It's an improved version of my mum's apple strudel.
Whilst hers is honestly great and delicious, I have added a few ingredients that make it way richer - not just in taste, but also in nutrition.
How to make apple strudel?
The main ingredient in apple strudel are apples, of course.
Feel free to use any type of apples you can get!
I've tried to make this strudel countless times with many different types of apples, and there wasn't any occasion when it didn't work!
Just remember to taste them before baking, to check the sugar levels.
When you do that, you'll know if to use more or less sugar than this recipe suggests.
This recipe is suited for puff pastry, which belongs to my most favourite ready-made items in grocery's.
Hero puff pastry
Puff pastry is easy to use, very versatile and saves you some precious time preparing it. Also, it's usually for a really good value (about £1 for a packet)!
Um, have I mentioned we're gonna be using one pack of pastry for making two strudels? Yes, that makes it even better value!
I prefer to use light or low-fat puff pastry, because it is little bit better for my body. However, you can use any type you like!
The ready-rolled one is super convenient, but don't worry if it's not available - the one in a block will serve you just as well, you just need to roll it out yourself.
Always remember to take the pastry out of the fridge at least 30mins prior to baking. This means it will be soft and ready for any manipulation.
If you're using frozen one, make sure it's fully thawed in time. In the best case overnight in the fridge.
Finally, the 'magic' extras in my recipe are walnuts and raisins.
Walnuts add a crunchy texture to the whole bake, and are source of protein and important vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron and Vitamin B6.
Raisins kind of 'wake up' when they're baked together with juices from the apples. These dried grapes become soft and juicy once more and add more sweet flavour to the strudel.
Raisins also contain fair amount of magnesium, calcium, iron, Vitamin B6 - however this is mostly in smaller doses than walnuts. Be mindful that raisins do contain a lot of sugar!
Now, let's get baking!
Cut the pastry in half 
Roll each half separately 
Chop the walnuts 
Layer out the fillings 
Wrap, glaze on top and prick with a fork 
Ta-daa! Fresh strudels from the oven
Ultimate apple strudel
Ingredients
- 1 pack ready-rolled light puff pastry
- 12 medium apples
- 2 tablespoon golden caster or granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 25 g unsalted butter melted (warm)
- ⅓ cup walnuts
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 free-range egg beaten
- 2 tablespoon plain flour for dusting
For serving (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon icing sugar
- 12 scoops vanilla ice-cream
Instructions
- Take the puff pastry out of the fridge 30 mins prior baking.
- Peel the apples. Using a grater, grate the apples into a large mixing bowl. Do not grate the cores.
- Chop the walnuts and divide them into two parts, set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan on a hob. If you prefer to use microwave, make sure to use a microwave-safe mug and turn the microwave on low heat for about 1 minute, stir and add another minute.
- Roll out the pastry on a large cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the pastry in half. Set both halves aside. In the next steps, I’m preparing the strudels separately. If you have enough working space, feel free to make both strudels at the same time!
- Dust the working area with some plain flour, so the pastry sheets don’t get stuck on the surface. Take one half of the pastry off the baking paper and place it on the dusted working surface.
- Rub some flour on a roller, and roll the pastry evenly until it’s about 1-1.5mm thick. If needed, fold the pastry sheet and start rolling it again until you get almost rectangular shape, about 25x35cm. The corners don’t have to be perfect, but what you want is a solid (not broken) rectangular sheet to lay the apples on.
- Using your hands, divide the grated apples into two equal parts.
- Take handful of the grated apples and slightly squish them over the bowl. Once some of the juices go out, place the apples onto the rolled out pastry. Repeat this until you use one half of the apples. Distribute the apples evenly on the pastry.
- Sprinkle with half of chopped walnuts (⅙ cup) and half of raisins (¼ cup).
- Season evenly with 1tbsp sugar and ½tsp cinnamon.
- Using a tablespoon, pour over half of the melted butter.
- Start rolling the strudel: Using both hands, start from one of the longer sides, roll the pastry with all the contents up carefully until you reach the other end. Make sure no fillings are falling down from the bottom. Stretch the pastry carefully if needed. Fold the ends inwards, facing the bottom.
- Place on a baking tray with greaseproof/baking paper.
- Prepare the second strudel – repeat steps 7-15.
- Using a brush, glaze the strudels with a beaten egg. Prick top of the strudels with a fork several times.
- Place the baking tray into the oven and bake for 45-50mins, or until golden-brown on the outside. Don’t open the oven during baking time.
- Decorate with some icing sugar and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Enjoy!
cookingwithshy
Beautiful Strudel! Happy autumn baking to you:))
Country Girl in London
Thanks so much! 🙂
DC/Seasons of Parenting
I love strudel and yours looks delicious!
Country Girl in London
Thank you, I appreciate it! Let me know if you tried x
Irene
Just perfect for the fall, looks and sounds really good!
Country Girl in London
Thank you! I agree - perfect for this season! 🙂
Nourish
This looks delicious! Fall desserts are simply the best!
Country Girl in London
Thank you! X Ohh nice to hear you're also a fan! 🙂
VEGISTAUAE
This looks great 👍
Country Girl in London
Thanks for reading!
Kally
Ooooo! One of my favourites.
Country Girl in London
Yay! 🙂
Efrona Mor
I’ve been thinking of strudel for weeks, this looks fantastic!
Country Girl in London
Aww thank you! It's the time of year! 🍎 Let me know if you made it x
Efrona Mor
I’m making it this weekend as I put apples on my list. Can’t wait.
Ellen Hawley
Hmm, grating the apples. I wouldn’t have thought of that. It solves a lot of problems.
Country Girl in London
Thanks! In my opinion it makes the whole strudel more compact. Have a nice weekend!