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Classic Old Fashioned Apple Strudel

Warm, crisp, and full of old-time charm, this apple strudel is pure comfort on a plate, perfect for guests or simple family desserts.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Austrian
Calories: 360

Ingredients
  

For the Strudel Dough
  • 1/3 cup 1/3 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp plus 1/2 tsp neutral vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp lemon juice (or white vinegar)
  • 1/8 tsp 1/8 tsp fine salt
  • 1 cup 1 cup plus 1 tbsp bread flour Plus flour for dusting
For the Toasted Breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp fine dry breadcrumbs
For the Apple Filling
  • 2 lb 2 lb sweet-tart apples (such as McIntosh or Granny Smith), peeled, quartered, cored and sliced 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick
  • 1/2 lemon Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 5 tbsp 5 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 4 tbsp 4 tbsp raisins, soaked in 3 tbsp lukewarm water for 10 minutes and drained
For Brushing and Finishing
  • 4 tbsp 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (2 tbsp for the dough, 2 tbsp for the top)
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting
  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, for serving (optional)

Method
 

Make the Dough
  1. In a bowl, mix the lukewarm water, oil, lemon juice, and salt. Then stir in half of the flour for about 1 minute. After that, add the rest of the flour and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Knead and Rest
  1. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until it becomes very smooth and elastic. Shape it into a ball, place it in a bowl brushed with oil, and cover it. Let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
Toast the Breadcrumbs
  1. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring often, for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn golden. Spread them out and let them cool completely.
Prepare the Apple Filling
  1. Toss the sliced apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. Stir together the sugar and cinnamon. Soak the raisins in lukewarm water for 10 minutes, drain well, and set aside.
Roll, Stretch, Fill, and Bake
  1. Dust a large tablecloth with flour and roll the dough into a rough 13 to 15 inch circle. Gently stretch it until it is paper-thin and translucent, about 24 x 30 inches. Brush half with melted butter, spread the toasted crumbs on the other half, and leave a border around the edges.
  2. Top with apples, raisins, walnuts, and cinnamon sugar. Fold in the sides, then lift the tablecloth to roll the strudel up snugly, jelly-roll style. Move it to a parchment-lined baking sheet seam-side down, brush with the remaining butter, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until crisp and deep golden.
  3. Let it cool for 15 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar and slice with a serrated knife.

Notes

This classic apple strudel is great for chilly nights, Sunday dinners, and potlucks. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a delightful finish.