APPLE STRUDEL

APPLE STRUDEL

Apple strudel is a delightful and classic pastry that originated in Austria but has since become popular worldwide. This flaky, sweet pastry is filled with tender spiced apples, raisins, and a hint of cinnamon, making it a perfect dessert or snack for any occasion. It's often served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In this recipe, we'll guide you through the steps to make a delicious homemade apple strudel from scratch.

Ingredients:

For the pastry:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)

For the apple filling:

• 4-5 medium-sized apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, to be ajusted according to your taste
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (fine)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• Zest of one lemon
• Juice of half a lemon

• For serving:
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Introduction

For the pastry:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center.
• In a separate bowl, mix the warm water and vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the well you created in the flour.
• Stir the mixture until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour; if it's too dry, add a bit more warm water.
• Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Shape it into a ball and coat it lightly with oil. Place it in a bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and let it rest for about 30 minutes.

For the apple filling:

1. While the dough is resting, peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, raisins, breadcrumbs, chopped walnuts or almonds, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the sliced apples. Mix everything together until well combined. Set aside.

Assembly:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. On a clean, floured surface, roll out the rested dough into a thin, large rectangle, You can use a rolling pin for this.
3. Brush the entire surface of the dough with melted butter.
4. Evenly spread the apple filling over the buttered dough, leaving about an inch of dough uncovered on each side.
5. Carefully lift the edge of the dough and start rolling it up, similar to a jelly roll or a burrito, enclosing the apple filling. Tuck in the ends as you go to seal the strudel.
6. Place the rolled strudel, seam side down, on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush the top with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
7. Bake in the preheated den for 40-45 minutes or until the strudel is golden brown and the apples are tender.

To serve:

1. Let the apple strudel cool slightly before slicing.
2. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm. Optionally, you can serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Enjoy your homemade apple strudel! It's best when served fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in the oven for a tasty treat later on.