Apple Strudel is much easier to make from scratch than you think! Especially when you use pre made puff pastry and apple pie filling. With its flaky crust and a spiced apple filling, this Apple strudel recipe will be ready in less than one hour and is sure to wow your guests.
What's great about this recipe is that if you don't like apple filling, you can swap it out for blueberry, lemon or even cherry.
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Tips and Tricks to Making this Homemade Apple Strudel Recipe
Puff Pastry - You've Got Options
Keeping with the tradition of cutting corners, know that I did not make my own puff pastry. Yes, you heard me right. And you shouldn't either. Especially, if you want to make this Quick Cherry Cream Cheese Strudel. You'll find puff pastry in your grocer's freezer section in the pastry area. I used this puff pastry here, but any prepared puff pastry will do.
You will need to thaw out the puff pastry. Follow the package instructions. You will only need one sheet for this strudel. The puff pastry needs to be divided into three imaginary sections. You will place the filling in the middle sections and then you will fold the outer sections on top.
Have everything ready before you start working with the puff pastry. If the puff pastry is sitting out to long, pop it back in the fridge, until the oven is ready or you are ready.
When you fold over the puff pastry sections, you can fold them over loosely to achieve a wider strudel. Or, you can fold them over more tightly for a traditional strudel.
You will also need to fold under the sides and then crimp them with a fork to keep all that goodness inside.
Cut 5 or 6 slits across the top with a knife to let the steam escape. Then bake.
Tip: I wish I had thought about this before I started making the strudel. Rolling the strudel over could be made easier by placing the puff pastry on top of a kitchen towel or food wrap prior to rolling it out and spooning the pie filling down the middle of the strudel.
Then using the towel, you could gently pick up the strudel (once folded), place it on a baking sheet and roll it over! Voila! I'll try this next time and update the post with the results.
The Filling
For this strudel, I used canned apple filling. But, you can use virtually any flavor of filling, e.g. lemon, blueberry, strawberry, etc.
Of course, if you are feeling courageous you could make your own filling. It's just a matter of preference of how much time you want to spend in the kitchen. I'm all about shortcuts when necessary so I like to use pie filling for this quick and easy dessert recipe.
I haven't tried to use frozen fruit or fresh fruit to make this strudel, so I can't really give you any insight on how it might turn out. If you do go this route, please leave me a comment to let me know how it turned out.
How to Make Your Strudel Different
So you've decided to make homemade apple strudel using puff pastry. There are many ways that you can make your strudel unique. Here are some optional ingredients for you to think about when making your strudel
- rum soaked raisins
- walnuts
- cream cheese filling
- candied fruit
- top it with icing
Use your imagination to come up with unique strudel combinations. The great part of using puff pastry is that you don’t have to wait for it to rise. You can thaw it out and use it right away.
What to Serve With Apple Strudel
Serving this strudel on it's own is perfect enough. But, you can raise this apple strudel recipe by serving it with some choice ingredients. This strudel recipe goes great with:
- vanilla ice cream
- whipped cream or Cool Whip
- Crème fraîche
- coffee or espresso
- cheese
- Ice Wine or Riesling wine
Serve it with one of these options above and you will have the most delicious dessert that your family and guests will love!
Storage Recommendations
If you have leftovers of this Homemade Apple Strudel recipe, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it (slice into serving sizes first before you freeze). When you are ready to have a slice or serve the whole strudel, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw out in the fridge over night.
Note that the storage guidelines provided on this page and site are estimates from personal experiences. We are all adults and as an adult you are responsible to ensure that the food you eat is safe to eat. Since, I'm not a food safety expert, you are responsible to review your local guidelines on food storage prior to storing any food left-overs.
For Canadian Guidelines check Government of Canada's Food and Safety Guidelines for further information and resources.
Tried this apple strudel recipe? Leave me a comment and let me know how it turned out. Post your picture on Instagram and tag #girl_with_a_spatula or mention @girl_with_a_spatula.
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Recipe Details
Easy Apple Strudel
This Easy Homemade Apple Strudel recipe is a quick and simple dessert to make with pre-made ingredients. that are in your pantry. Using pre made puff pastry this dessert will be ready in less than one hour. A great dessert for Thanksgiving, Easter or anytime.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 225g puff pastry (store bought)
- 200 ml apple pie filling (or filling of your choice)
- ¼ cups flour
- 2 tbsp turbinado sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Defrost Puff Pastry as per package directions. Keep pastry in refrigerator until you are ready to use it. Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- While you are waiting for the oven to heat up carefully unroll the puff pastry. Sprinkle a little bit of flour on the counter and on the pastry surface and using a rolling pin roll out the pastry about an extra 2 inches on each side. You want the pastry sheet to be 14" x 12".
- Spoon the filling down the middle. Sprinkle cinnamon on the apple pie filling.
- Fold both sides over the filling and using a spatula carefully transfer the strudel onto your baking sheet.
- Grab the sides of the parchment paper and strudel and using the stability of the parchment paper roll over the strudel so that the seam is underneath.
- Fold over the edges and then crimp them using a fork.
- Take a knife and cut slits on the top to create vents for steam to escape while the strudel bakes.
- Using melted butter and a basting brush, brush the butter on the top of the strudel and top with turbinado sugar.
- Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
⅛ of StrudelAmount Per Serving: Calories: 218Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 93mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 8gProtein: 3g
Nutrition data is calculated automatically by Nutritionix and isn't always accurate. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual’s dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual. You are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to your health.
Terri says
I had never made strudel before and I love how easy this is! Thanks for the great photo directions!!
Sharon says
My hubby is going to love me for making this! I'm grabbing some vegan cashew ice cream to serve with it so I can trick myself into thinking it is healthy. 😉 I love how easy it is for a little something sweet after dinner.
NANCY says
THis homemade strudel recipe sounds simple enough! I love apples! I can't wait to make mini studels!
Bernice Hill says
yum! You know...I have a few packages of puff pastry in the freezer that need using up. I am going to give this easy strudel version a try!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
I love the ease and simplicity of this recipe thanks to the help of store bought puff pastry and pie filling!