Traditional Apfelstrudel

Erich’s favourite Austrian dessert. There's not really anything new here for my friends at home. However, I thought I’ll post it anyway because it’s just such a delicious and healthy treat. To all my non-Austrian friends out there, you really must try this, it's easier than it looks!

Portions: 2-3 strudels
Cooking time: 40 mins preparation + 30 mins baking

What's in it: This is a low fat and low sugar dessert. Apples are a good source of Vitamin C which helps absorbing iron and supports a healthy immune system.

Ingredients:

• 1 pack of filo pastry sheets (I use Feuilles de Filo Pastry from Waitrose)
• 10 Bramley or Braeburn apples, peeled and finely sliced
• 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 150g natural breadcrumbs
• 30g butter
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 handful raisins
• Juice of ½ lemon

Preparation:

1. Melt butter in a frying pan, add sugar and breadcrumbs. Gently fry over medium heat until breadcrumbs are golden brown. Set aside and do NOT cover.
2. In a large bowl mix together apple slices, cinnamon, raisins and lemon juice.
3. Preheat oven to 180°C
4. Place one sheet of filo pastry on a kitchen towel, slightly brush with oil (or melted butter) and place a second pastry sheet on top. 
5. Sprinkle the lower half of the pastry sheet with your breadcrumbs and spread a few hands full of spiced apple slices on top.
6. Holding the kitchen towel, carefully roll the strudel, folding in ends on both sides. Brush the last bit of pastry with oil before you finish rolling.
7. Lift the kitchen towel to transfer the finished strudel onto a baking tray lined with baking paper.
8. Make another one or two strudels with the remaining pastry sheets.
9. Brush strudels with egg wash (egg mixed with a bit of milk).
10. Bake for about 30 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.
11. Serve warm or cold, just dusted with a bit of icing sugar or with custard.

Adult version: I usually soak the raisins in rum.

Not suitable for freezing. Can be re-heated in the oven or microwave.


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About this blog
This blog is about family cooking. It's important to get together for family meals. Here I'm posting healthy family recipes that kids and adults will love and make cooking for the family more fun. All my family recipes are well balanced and healthy family recipes but they can be tweaked for fussy eaters or spiced up for a more sophisticated adult palate. In addition to the healthy family recipes, I'm publishing some of my knitting and crochet patterns for toddler toys and accessories.