~ "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." ~ "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" ~ "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." ~ "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."~

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Apple Strudel... my new favorite apple dessert.



Apple Strudel... Oh, this has got to be my new favorite apple dessert! Had so much fun making it. Not a very complicated recipe at all, doesn't take all day... and can easily be made on a weeknight for a delicious dessert. Fancy enough for guests. And you really don't need a ton of ingredients. Plus, you have the option to make just a few portions... as a tasting menu.

Actually you can make a large batch if you like.... just make more apple filling and use more sheets. You can also make a larger batch of the apple filling... then use some of it, and store the rest for another time. I often do that.

The apple strudels are so classic, and yet pretty simple to prepare... well, as long as you use store-bought phyllo sheets. It's been quite a while since I've been contemplating making my own phyllo dough sheets from scratch. Made it once... but a smaller version. Yet, when time is valuable, the store-bought phyllo sheets work just as well. They are a life-saver:)...

While a normal strudel uses some toasted and seasoned breadcrumbs in between the phyllo sheets, I chose to use some finely ground almonds instead. Loved the nuttiness. Sort of brings in the idea of a baklava... paired with an apple pie. And while I've been making apple turnovers using phyllo dough(and still love them!) for some time, I rather like the simplicity of the apple strudel version. It just comes together quicker. There's no need to fold each individual turnover. And because the apple filling gets cooked down quite a bit, the strudel slices stay crisp even into the next day. Loved that about them... great make-ahead sort of dessert. Hope you enjoy...

Note: The amounts I listed just made enough filling for my 13x9 inch phyllo sheets. I know other stores sell larger phyllo sheets... so you may need to adjust amount of filling and ground nut mixture/spices to compensate.

Tip: Feel free to make the filling your own... try adding some other type of fruit to the filling. I've heard crushed pineapple works well. You can even cut down the sugar and add some raisins/currants/dried cranberries, etc.

You will need: makes a smallish amount of strudels... about 6-7 (2 inch) pieces... but you can always double or triple the recipe.

Apple filling:
  • 2 medium granny smith apples(about 2 cups(250g) grated)
  • 2 TBS butter
  • 2-4 TBS sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon peel
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsps lemon juice
Extra:
  • 6 phyllo dough sheets(13x9 inches)
  • 6 TBS finely ground almonds
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 2-3 TBS melted butter(or half butter half oil)
  • icing sugar
Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degF.

1. Peel and grate apples.
2. In a medium saucepan, add grated apples, 2 TBS butter, cinnamon, lemon peel, lemon juice sugar... Sugar amount depends on how sweet or tart your apples are. I like to add less and adjust at the end if need be.
3. Cook on medium heat stirring every so often until apple thickens(mixture clumps up and no liquid is seen)... about 20 -30 minutes depending on apples. Mine were quite juicy.
4. Stir in vanilla, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
5. Grind about 1/3 cup of raw almonds finely and measure out 6 TBS (or use 6 TBS store-bought almond meal). Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix to combine.
6. Melt butter( stir in oil, if you are using half butter/half oil).
7. Using a pastry brush, butter one sheet well. Sprinkle some of the almond mixture(about 1 slightly rounded tablespoon) over the entire surface. Add a second sheet of buttered phyllo dough and sprinkle with another TBS of almond mixture. Repeat until all 6 sheets have been used.
8. Place apple filling in a strip along the long side of the phyllo sheets. Roll up jelly-style. Place the strudel unto a baking sheet and butter the top as well.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until nicely golden brown.
10. Cool slightly and sprinkle with powdered sugar... using a sharp serrated knife, cut 2 inch portions on a bias(be gentle). Serve with ice cream or without.

12 comments:

judy said...

This looks delicious, and I'm not all that fond of apple desserts! I think your beautiful photos have something to do with it. I have phyllo in my freezer and now I'll have to get some apples. My husband would be thrilled

Ellie said...

Thank you, Judy! I'm hoping your husband will like these apple "bites"....I'm hoping you will too:).

The thing about this recipe is that it uses grated apples... and the apples get cooked down quite a bit. So the apple mushiness sort of disappears... sort of:)

Thanks for stopping by....

Familycook said...

The strudels look scrumptious!

Bergamot said...

I love apple strudel and using phyllo is a good idea. Thanks for the recipe. Will try it.

Ellie said...

Familycook, Thanks! Hope you can give it a try:)

Bergamot, You are welcome! This is a simple recipe for making apple strudel... the store-bought phyllo dough comes in handy:).
Hope you enjoy it!

Speranta said...

Imi place foarte mult "Apple Strudel...Asa de frumos este prezentata!
Cred ca este delicioasa o sa incerc si eu .
Multumesc pentru reteta!

O saptamana placuta iti doresc!

Ellie said...

Multumesc mult, Speranta.

Strudelul este foarte bun... usor de facut... si un pic mai healthy:).

Cred ca o sa iti placa si tie, merita incercata.

Merci pentru vizita...

Iti doresc si tie o zi plina de har!

Bex said...

I've just made this strudel. A first time for me. I added a handful of shredded coconut to mine but not sure I should have. I didn't cook it down as long as the apples, but it still takes yummy. Thank you!

Here is a picture

Bex

Ellie said...

Bex, Oh, I am so glad you tried the strudel... thanks for stopping by and sharing your feedback and photo. Looks delicious!
Glad you gave it a go with the coconut...even though you might have preferred it without. Sometimes various additions work.... sometimes it's iffy. But you will never know if you don't try:)....and I'm sure it still tasted delicious:).

julia said...

Yum, these look amazing! I had always though apple strudel would be too hard to make, but filopastry is a wonderful idea
www.chocolatefudgefrosting@wordpress.com

Unknown said...

Good job posting the recipe, this one helps remind me of a recipe I tried before also called apple strudel.

Ellie said...

Megan, My version is a tad easier in that it uses store-bought phyllo... but thanks a bunch for the link to the strudel recipe that includes how to make the homemade phyllo dough. Sounds great! I would love to try it...