The apple and dried fruit strudel with puff pastry is a delightful variation of the classic Austrian dessert, combining the simplicity of puff pastry with the richness and sweetness of apples and dried fruit. The crunchiness of the pastry, enveloping the soft filling of flavored apples and dried fruit, makes this dessert a pleasure for the palate, perfect to enjoy on cold days accompanied by a cup of tea or coffee.
In this version, puff pastry allows for a quicker preparation while still maintaining the essence of the traditional strudel. The apples are pre-cooked with a little butter and sugar, then mixed with cinnamon and dried fruits – walnuts, figs, apricots, and raisins – which add crunchiness and a unique flavor that perfectly matches the sweetness of the apples. The result is a light and fragrant dessert, which can be enjoyed both warm and cold, with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4/6 people
- Cooking methods: Oven, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter, Christmas
Ingredients for the Apple and Dried Fruit Strudel with Puff Pastry:
- 3 yellow apples
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 dried apricots
- 2 dried figs
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries and golden raisins
- 1 oz shelled walnuts
- to taste ground cinnamon
- 1 roll rectangular puff pastry
- to taste breadcrumbs
- to taste milk (or 1 beaten egg yolk)
- to taste powdered sugar
Tools for the Apple and Dried Fruit Strudel with Puff Pastry:
- 1 Oven
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Knife
- 1 Pan
Steps for Preparing and Cooking the Apple and Dried Fruit Strudel:
Peel the apples, cut them in half, remove the cores, and dice them into small pieces. Place them in a pan with butter and sugar and cook for about 5 minutes, until they are nicely dry, then transfer them to a bowl, mix well, and let them cool slightly.
Dice the dried apricots, figs, and chop the walnuts with a knife, ensuring they are not too small. Add all the prepared ingredients to a bowl, along with the golden raisins and dried cranberries, the previously cooked apples, and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon. Mix well.
Take the puff pastry roll, unroll it, and sprinkle it with some breadcrumbs.
Place the filling on the pastry, level it well, leaving about half an inch on each side free, then fold the 4 sides of the puff pastry without filling towards the inside, and roll the puff pastry onto itself to form a roll, starting from the long side.
Make incisions on the surface of the roll with a knife and brush it with milk or a beaten egg yolk if you prefer a more golden surface after baking.
Place the roll on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350°F for 30/35 minutes, then let it cool.
Before serving, sprinkle with powdered sugar.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use other dried fruits?
Absolutely, this recipe is very versatile, and you can use whatever dried fruits you have available.
Can I make bundles with the same filling?
Absolutely yes, in this case, halve the filling quantity.
