There is nothing quite like the scent of warm cinnamon and baked apples wafting through the house on a crisp afternoon. This apple strudel recipe offers a shortcut to gourmet results by using flaky puff pastry, making it an ideal treat for an impromptu dessert or a cozy weekend brunch.

Recipe Details

  • Yields: 6
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 40 min
  • Total Time: 50 min

Ingredients

  • Puff pastry
  • Apricot jam (about 300 g | 10 oz)
  • 3 apples
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Breadcrumbs / crushed cookies
  • Butter (optional)
  • Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Begin by peeling your apples and cutting them into very thin, uniform slices.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to gently stretch out the puff pastry into a large rectangle.
  3. Using the back of a spoon, spread the apricot jam across the pastry, leaving a small border at the edges.
  4. Layer the prepared apple slices neatly over the jam.
  5. Give the fruit a generous dusting of ground cinnamon and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs or finely crushed cookies.
  6. If you are using butter, cut it into tiny pieces and distribute them across the top of the apples for added richness.
  7. Fold the sides of the puff pastry over the filling, making sure they overlap slightly to keep everything tucked inside.
  8. Place the strudel in an oven preheated to 180°C (360°F) and bake for about 40 minutes until the pastry is golden and crisp.
  9. Finish the dish by sifting a light layer of powdered sugar over the top before serving.

Tips for Success

The choice of "crunch" in this recipe is up to you; while traditional breadcrumbs work perfectly to absorb the apple juices, using crushed vanilla wafers or digestive biscuits can add an extra layer of sweetness. For the best flavor, look for crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, which hold their shape well during the forty-minute bake time. If the pastry seems to be browning too quickly, you can loosely tent a piece of foil over the top for the final few minutes of cooking.

Whether served warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or enjoyed cold the next morning with coffee, this simple strudel is sure to be a new family favorite.