Apple strudel reminds me of my childhood and the sweet shops from back home that I mentioned in my post on Chocolate Sponge Cake (Amandine). It’s one of my favourite desserts but, believe it or no, this is the first time I am baking strudel at home.  Although it’s quite popular in Romania, this dessert is traditionally associated with Austria. It’s such a tasty dessert and I highly recommend you try making this at home.

Time: 65 min, Prep:  35 min.  Cook: 30 min per batch
Servings: 8          

Ingredients:

• 7-8 apples
• 60 g butter
• juice from 1 orange
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 115 g sugar (1/2 cup)
• 100 g raisins
• 4 sheets ready-rolled puff pastry
• 4 Tbsp ground almonds
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

You also need a baking pan lightly greased with butter or oil.

Directions:

Peel and core apples and cut them in small pieces.

Heat the butter in a pan, add the apples and cook for 3 minutes. Add the orange juice, honey, raisins and sugar. Stir over medium heat until apples are just tender and the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let the mixture cool.

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).

Place a sheet of the pastry on your work surface. Cut it in half to make 2 strudels (you could leave it as is as well but you’ll have a giant strudel). Then make small cuts in the edge that you will be folding over. Sprinkle ¼ of the ground almonds.

Discard the liquid from the apple mixture and place 2-3 tablespoons on the pastry. Brush the edges with the lightly beaten egg and fold the strudel making sure to seal its edges too.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon.

Brush the strudels with the beaten egg and sprinkle some of the sugar-cinnamon mixture on top. Arrange the strudels in your baking pan.

Repeat the process with the other pastry sheets and remaining filling. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until browned. Serve hot or cold.