What do I look forward to the most when I come to Austria to visit my family? -Apfelstrudel! (And the fam, of course…!) More specifically, Geli’s Apfelstrudel! Ever since my dad’s girlfriend veganized her Apfelstrudel for me last year, I have been waiting in anticipation to return and indulge in it again. Seeing as I’m Austrian, I think it’s about time that I shared a traditional dish from my country of birth… In Austria we buy a ready-made pastry that is especially for the Strudel, but it can be used interchangeably with Phyllo – which is what I recommend for this recipe. When you prepare your pastry Geli suggests leaving it to sit for a few minutes after brushing it with oil, so that the Oil can soak in and make the pastry a bit more flexible. Just make sure you have it lying on a damp cloth to stop it from drying out. According to Geli, the trick to making a juicy Apfelstrudel is to grate the Apples instead of just slicing them – it works a charm! The measurements are all a bit rough as she eyeballs her ingredients, so be sure to add more or less, according to your taste. So here it is – Geli’s delicious (and easy) Apfelstrudel!
Ingredients: (makes one medium-sized Strudel, about 5 servings)
2 sheets Phyllo (if using frozen you need to defrost in refrigerator over night)
Canola Oil to brush pastry
4 large (or 6-7 small) grated Braeburn Apples, or a mixture of Granny Smith & Gala [slightly sour Apples are better than too sweet]
juice of 1 Lemon (or less, depending on how sour/sweet your Apples are)
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 cup Brown Sugar (again, you might need to add more or less, depending on the Apples)
2 Tblsp. Maple Syrup
generous amount of Amaretto, or Liqueur of your choice (about 1/4 cup)
Optional: handful of Raisins
Icing Sugar, to decorate at the end
Method:
– Preheat oven to 160C, and lightly grease or line a baking tray.
– Have two cloths ready: wet one of them with hot water, and wring it out so it isn’t dripping wet. Lay it on the counter, and cover with the other dry cloth. Remove one sheet of Phyllo and lay it over the top of the cloths, then thinly brush it with Oil covering the whole surface. Carefully lay the other layer of Phyllo over it, and allow the pastry to stand whilst preparing the filling.
– Place the grated Apples in a large bowl and add fresh Lemon Juice, Cinnamon, Sugar, Maple Syrup and Raisins. Pour the Amaretto over it, and mix well. Taste and adjust sweetner/Lemon Juice as needed.
– Spoon the Apple mixture over the bottom third of the Phyllo square, shaping it into more of a dome (don’t make it too flat or your roll will end up flat). Carefully lift the towel up from the bottom edge and use it to slowly roll the pastry over the filling, making sure not to touch the pastry, and also keeping it rolled tight over the filling. Do this all the way to the end until you have a tight roll that is nicely shaped. Tuck it in at both sides, and then using the cloth from underneath, slowly move it to the tray.
– Bake in the oven for 30-40 mins. until the top is browned and the Apples are cooked through. Once out the oven, allow to cool and dust with Icing Sugar.
*Traditionally served with Vanilla Custard, but Vanilla Ice Cream will do the trick…
It sounds delicious! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us! 🙂
That looks perfect. Just like the Apfelstrudel I remember.
That looks very tasty! I once made strudeldough from scratch. It was fun, I have to do it again!
After I posted this, my Oma actually showed me how to make the dough from scratch – tasted so much better than with Phyllo, and actually quite simple!
Looks fabulous! Never made this from scratch! 🙂
Mmm, sounds like classic comfort food… Like apple pie, but with less work!
Exactly 🙂
This looks great (and like something I can handle!) I’m collecting recipes for fall/apple season and this is on it!
It’s really easy & quick – a great way to use up apples! x
You NEED to make this for me again!!!!
We need to do an Apfelstrudel date soon! x
This looks absolutely delicious. Is this considered Astrian comfort food?
Austrians actually have this for lunch some days!! 🙂
MMMM sounds yummy with some vanilla ice cream! 🙂
Howdy, I must thank all of the autor inside the websites. All of the is obvious as well as convenient. The style could be dramatic in my closet. Wouldn’t you take the time to phon everybody currently web theme what make full use of? many thanks a lot more or proceed with the best do the job.
Hi, I log on to your blog regularly. Your writing style is witty, keep it up!