Homemade Apple Strudel Recipe (made with puff pastry)

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Make Apple Strudel at home with this delicious and easy recipe. #homemade #apple #strudel #fall #baking #dessert #puffpastry #recipeMake Apple Strudel at home with this delicious and easy recipe. #homemade #apple #strudel #fall #baking #dessert #puffpastry #recipe

This delicious and easy apple strudel (created by my Aunt Maybe) is one of my favorite dessert recipes. While it’s fabulous for fall, you can serve it any time of the year. Once you make it for your family and guests, I’m sure they will agree.

apple strudel pinterest imageapple strudel pinterest image

The fall season is the perfect time for baking apple recipes. I’m sharing my Aunt Maybe’s Apple Strudel. At the end of this post, there are links (with images) to 18+ more fall-inspired apple recipes. I want to make them ALL! I so admire this group of bloggers and their wonderful ideas. There’s something for everyone, so check out the full list of recipes.

Looking for more IBC apple recipes? Try these:

fresh baked fall dessertfresh baked fall dessert

Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Strudel

Before we get to the apple strudel recipe, here are some questions people often ask about it. If you don’t see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.

What pastry is apple strudel made from?

Classic apple strudel is made from a puff pastry, like filo pastry. To save me time, I used a store-bought puff pastry. However, if you have time, feel free to make a puff pastry from scratch.

What is the difference between strudel and streusel?

There are a lot of differences between these two popular desserts. A strudel is a baked dessert with thin strips of puff pastry wrapped around the filling. A streusel has the filling inside of a pie crust and is topped with a crumb topping made from sugar, flour, and butter.

Can I use canned apple pie filling instead of fresh apples?

Yes, to save yourself time, it is just fine to use canned apple pie filling. You could even pre-make the filling and then save it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Then, all you have to do is add the filling to the pastry, wrap it, and bake it.

That being said, this pasty will taste best when you are able to make the filling from scratch, so I encourage you to give it a try.

Is strudel dough the same as pie dough?

No, the dough is not the same as regular pie dough. A traditional strudel is made with puff pastry.

baked puff pastry dessertbaked puff pastry dessert

Classic Apple Strudel

Last year we did a similar round-up of fall apple recipes. You might remember that I made apple streusel cake. (It’s delicious, by the way, and it makes a great breakfast sweet or dessert.)

A couple of years ago, my Aunt Maybe (her name is May, but we’ve always called her Maybe) brought this apple strudel to a Christmas get-together. Her husband, my Uncle Dan, and their children had always raved about how delicious it was.

It only took one bite to know how right they were. With such a marvelous combination of flavors, I’d say it’s crazy delicious.

bird's eye view of baked apple strudelbird's eye view of baked apple strudel

Ingredients:

There are only a handful of simple ingredients in this classic homemade apple strudel. Here’s what you need to have when you make them.

Strudel Ingredients

  • Apples – Use Granny Smith apples. They are tart and taste best when you bake them.
  • Sugar – Granulated white sugar is ideal for the filling.
  • Butter – Unsalted butter is always the best choice for baking.
  • Cornstarch – This thickens the filling.
  • Spices – Use both cinnamon and nutmeg for a classic apple pie flavor. Plus, extra salt enhances the flavors and makes them more pronounced.
  • Puff Pastry – Just buy a package (two sheets) of pre-made puff pastry.
  • Egg – This is to add an egg wash on the outside.

Glaze

  • Butter – Unsalted butter tastes better in the glaze.
  • Vanilla – Gives the glaze the classic vanilla flavor.
  • Milk – Use your favorite type of milk. If you use sweetened non-dairy milk, use less sugar.
  • Powdered Sugar – Also called confectioner’s sugar, this will give you the perfect consistency.

slice of strudel with apple filingslice of strudel with apple filing

I also love how quick and easy it is to make. Let me walk you through the recipe.

How to Make Apple Strudel:

The hardest part of this recipe is peeling the apples. If you can do that, you’re golden. I’ll split this recipe up into easy sections for you.

Thaw the Puff Pastry

This apple strudel recipe starts with puff pastry. You can make your own, but I think the frozen variety is equally as good. You might as well save yourself time and trouble.

Once thawed, I like to roll out the puff pastry dough to make it 15-20% larger. This allows you to fit in all of the apple filling.

cup of sugar being poured onto bowl of chopped fruitcup of sugar being poured onto bowl of chopped fruit

Make the Filling

Speaking of the filling… Mix diced apples, sugar, butter, cornstarch, spices, and water in a medium saucepan. Cook this for about 7 minutes or until the mixture becomes a sauce and thickens.

adding cinnamon and sugar to granny smith apples in a mixing bowladding cinnamon and sugar to granny smith apples in a mixing bowl

Add Filling to the Puff Pastry

Once the apple filling is cooled, divide it evenly between the two puff pastry sheets. Then, spread the filling on the middle third of the puff pastry.

apple chunks and spices on a stovetopapple chunks and spices on a stovetopprocess photo for making apple strudelprocess photo for making apple strudel

Add Decorative Pie Strips

To make the apple strudel a bit more decorative, use a knife to cut lines (about 16 or so) into each outer third of the puff pastry, forming strips. Then criss-cross the strips onto the filling. (You’ll need to add a bit of water to the end of each of the dough strips to seal them.)

It’s a simple method, but it creates a beautiful effect.

folding puff pastry strips over chunks of applefolding puff pastry strips over chunks of applepuff pastry wrapped around apple strudel fillingpuff pastry wrapped around apple strudel filling

Once everything is assembled, brush the apple strudel with an egg wash and pop it into the oven for 35-40 minutes.

Make the Glaze

Let the strudel cool slightly. While it cools, prepare the glaze by whisking together butter, confectioner’s sugar, vanilla, salt, and milk. I recommend starting with about 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar and then adding more to create a glaze that is the desired consistency.

two baked apple strudel loaves on a stove toptwo baked apple strudel loaves on a stove topglaze pouring off the end of a whiskglaze pouring off the end of a whisk

Add Glaze on Top

Drizzle the glaze on the warm apple strudel, then dig in!

I am not exaggerating. It is SO-O-O GOOD! And yet it’s simple to make, isn’t it? The frozen puff pastry dough makes it easy.

top view of sliced baked apple puff pastry dessert top view of sliced baked apple puff pastry dessert

Of course, this apple strudel is delicious in the fall, but this is a recipe you can fix any time of the year. As I said, we have it for Christmas, and it’s such a treat.

That’s a wrap on apple strudel!

I sincerely hope you enjoyed this homemade apple strudel recipe and will give it a try. I have a feeling you’re going to love it as much as we do.

Aunt Maybe's apple strudel on a plateAunt Maybe's apple strudel on a platebite of baked apple dessert on a forkbite of baked apple dessert on a fork

Want even more? Then check out all of the wonderful (and beautiful) apple recipes listed below. My Seasons of Home blogger friends and I have been busy baking for you!

baked apple strudel on a platterbaked apple strudel on a platterclose up of glazed apple dessertclose up of glazed apple dessert

Homemade Apple Strudel Recipe:

Homemade Apple StrudelHomemade Apple Strudel

Aunt Maybe’s Apple Strudel

This delicious and easy Apple Strudel (created by my Aunt Maybe) is one of my favorite dessert recipes. While it’s fabulous for fall, you can serve it any time of the year. Once you make it for your family and guests, I’m sure they will agree.

4.95

from

17

votes

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Prep Time:

20

minutes

Cook Time:

40

minutes

Total Time:

1

hour

Servings:

20

Calories:

298

kcal

Ingredients

  • 4

    large Granny Smith apples

    cored, peeled, and diced

  • 1

    cup

    sugar

  • 2

    tablespoon

    unsalted butter

  • 2

    tablespoon

    cornstarch

  • 1

    teaspoon

    cinnamon

  • 1/4

    teaspoon

    nutmeg

  • 1/2

    teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1/4

    cup

    water

    plus extra for sealing the dough

  • 1

    package

    (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry

    thawed

  • 1

    egg

    beaten

Glaze:

  • 1

    stick

    unsalted butter

    melted

  • 1

    teaspoon

    vanilla

  • 3

    tablespoons

    milk

  • 1/2

    teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 2-3

    cups

    confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F.

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the apples, sugar, butter, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and water. Stir to combine. Cook at medium heat for about 7 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken. Set aside and allow the apple mixture to cool.

  • In the meantime, unfold your puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to make each puff pastry sheet about 15% larger in size.

  • Place half of the cooled apple mixture down the middle one-third of one puff pastry sheet.

  • Use a sharp knife to cut horizontal strips along both the left and the right outer thirds of the puff pastry. (Make about 16 strips on each side.)

  • Lightly moisten the ends of all the strips with water. Then fold the strips over the top of the apple mixture. To create a braided look, first fold over a strip from the left, then a strip from the right. Continue left, right, left, right until all of the strips are in place.

  • Seal both ends with a little water.

  • Repeat this process with the rest of the apple filling and the second puff pastry sheet.

  • Transfer both strudels to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.* Brush with beaten egg.

  • Baked for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the strudel to cool slightly.

  • In the meantime, prepare a glaze by whisking together the butter, vanilla, milk, kosher salt, and confectioners’ sugar. Start with 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar. Add more to create a glaze that is thick but still can be drizzled. (If the glaze becomes too thick, add a bit more milk to thin it.)

  • Slice and serve warm.

Video

Notes

*Once the strudel is filled, moving it to the lined baking sheet can be a bit tricky. Just be quick and careful. If you prefer, you can assemble the strudel directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet to avoid having to move it. You will just need to use two baking sheets.

Nutrition

Calories:

298

kcal

|

Carbohydrates:

39

g

|

Protein:

2

g

|

Fat:

15

g

|

Saturated Fat:

6

g

|

Cholesterol:

24

mg

|

Sodium:

183

mg

|

Potassium:

60

mg

|

Fiber:

1

g

|

Sugar:

26

g

|

Vitamin A:

211

IU

|

Vitamin C:

2

mg

|

Calcium:

11

mg

|

Iron:

1

mg

Seasons of Home Fall Apple Recipes:

seasons of home apple recipe collection imagesseasons of home apple recipe collection images

Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins by Ella Claire & Co. | Puff Pastry Apple Strudel by Inspired by Charm | Apple Crumb Pie Bars by Tidy Mom | Stovetop Applesauce by Tidbits | Apple Cheesecake Tart by Rooms for Rent

Gluten/Dairy Free Apple Crisp by Zevy Joy | Apple Pie Chocolate Chip Cookies by Anderson + Grant | Easy Apple Dumpling Dessert by Happy Happy Nester | Gluten-Free Apple Fritters by Home Made Lovely | Sheet Pan Apple Crumble by My Sweet Savannah

recipe collection of apple dessertsrecipe collection of apple desserts

Salted Caramel Apple Tart by Shabby Fu Fu | Cinnamon Apple Bread by Julie Blanner | Apple & Blackberry Topped Waffles by French Country Cottage | Sugar-Free Apple Butter by Farmhouse on Boone | Puff Pastry Apple Pie by Jenna Kate at Home

collage of apple recipes from bloggerscollage of apple recipes from bloggers

Apple Walnut Bread by On Sutton Place | Apple Cake with Homemade Caramel Sauce by Town and Country Living | Mini Apple Pies by My 100 Year Old Home | Apple Scones by Boxwood Avenue

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