Authentic Apple Strudel
This is the best apple strudel I’ve ever had. Growing up in Romania, I was raised with strudels, although they are not a traditional Romanian dessert. Nor German, as most of you would think.
Actually, the famous Viennese Apple strudel is not 100% Austrian either, since it is believed to have Turkish origins. The Ottoman Empire might have brought their passion for really thin wheat layers to today’s Austria when they invaded them somewhere between 15th and 17th century.
This is how Apfelstrudel came into existence most probably and started gaining popularity among the Austro-Hungarians.
- 170 g all-purpose flour (keep 20g of flour extr next to you, you might need more)
- 80 g warm water
- 1 tsp vinegar
- pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5 Pcs apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
- 40 g butter
- 40 g sugar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 50 g breadcrumbs
- 50 g raisins (soaked in rum overnight)
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 150 g milk
- 150 g cream
- 40 g sugar
- 2 Pcs egg yolks
- 1 vanilla pod (seeds removed)
- Making the dough
Start by making the dough. It is better to use a stand mixer. Add all the ingredients to the bowl and knead for about 5-7 minutes or until you have an elastic dough. You might need to add more flour depending upon your flour. I used all purpose flour but in Germany flour tends to be very different as most of them still have wheat bran added so that requires more water. You should have a soft dough in the end which is very elastic and does not stick. Rest the dough for 45 minutes at least.
- Prepare the filling
For the filling, mix the sliced apples with the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of sugar and set aside.
In a pan, melt the butter over low heat, then add the breadcrumbs and cook it for 1 minute. Add the sugar and cinnamon and mix for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and transfer to a plate. Let it cool. Once this is cooled you should have hard crumbs which you can separate with your fingers. Soak the raisins in rum one day before (optional).
- Preparing the dough
Stretch the dough on a big table cloth dusted with flour, using a rolling pin, then use your hands. This requires patience. But it is very relaxing. Stretch the dough until it is almost transparent. (See video).
Add the breadcrumbs mixture, then add the apples followed by the raisins. Cover the edges (see video) with the dough and slowly start rolling it a couple of times using the table cloth until you have a strudel. (See video).
Brush the strudel with melted butter and bake until it is golden brown.
- Preparing the vanilla sauce
Mix the egg yolks and sugar together. In a pan heat the milk and the cream together with the vanilla pod and removed seeds and bring them close to the boiling point. Add them to the egg yolks gradually while constantly mixing with a whisker, then pour everything back in the pan and cook until it thickens. Keep stirring with the whisker. Strain if there are any lumps. Serve it with the warm Apple Strudel. Enjoy!