This pale strudel recipe features dried cherry for a hint of tartiness and texture.
Before I made this apple cherry strudel, I hadn’t made a strudel in years, not since I worked in a restaurant and had lots of space and hands to help. In fact, this is the first time I’ve ever stretched strudel dough solo. When I was in culinary school we made one as a class that stretched out about 5 feet long and was nearly transparent. Never half measures at the CIA. There were at least 6 of us gingerly pulling and stretching and our instructor, Stacy Radin, was coaching us through the whole process. I think we all napped after that class!
A Tip For Working The Dough
I went into this apple cherry strudel recipe thinking I’d be lucky to come out alive, and in the end I vowed to make it often. I had a wonderful time, it went together very easily and the strudel was flaky and delicious! It is all about staying calm and allowing the dough to speak to you. Yeah, you heard me, the dough will tell you when to pull or stretch or just leave it alone! I suggest some chamomile tea, your favorite jazz CD and just have fun with it.
I used this recipe and varied in just a few places: Apple Cherry Strudel by Rick Rodgers from Kaffeehaus: Exquisite Desserts from the Classic Cafés of Vienna, Budapest, and Prague
Apple Strudel Ingredients
- 1 Recipe of Strudel Dough (See below)
- Apples (use firmer apples that will hold their shape)
- Cinnamon and sugar
- Bread crumbs for texture
- Rum for depth of flavor and moisture in the filling
Apple Cherry Strudel Step-By-Step
See me make the recipe step by step below and head to the bottom of this post for the full recipe!
To make the dough:
Combine the flour, salt, water, oil and vinegar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. You will get a soft dough. Make sure it is not too dry, add more water if necessary. Mix until the dough forms a ball, it will not be smooth at this point.
Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough for 5-8 minutes or until the dough is very smooth. It may not come together in one ball, but will be a few balls chasing each other around the bowl. Once it is smooth take it out, cover in plastic wrap and allow to rest for at least 30-90 minutes. I let mine sit over night in the refrigerator. Maybe I’m just used to handling dough this way, but it really worked nicely! 😉
When ready to roll out your dough and make the strudel, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Mix together the raisins (cherries) and rum in a small bowl and set aside.
Mix together the cinnamon and sugar in another small bowl and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook whilst stirring until golden brown and toasted. This will take about 3 minutes.
Once your dough has rested you will need to set up a large work area with a cloth. Dust the cloth generously with flour and rub the flour into the cloth. This prevents the dough from sticking as you work it.
I started the process by using my largest rolling pin.
Once the dough has gotten too big and too thin to use the pin you will just use your hands to finish the dough. This is where you begin to listen to the dough. Turn up that music, get another cup of tea or a glass of wine and relax!
Only use the backs of your hands and be sure to remove all of your jewelry. You will also want to wear short sleeves, because you get your arms in on the action too. Start at the short end and very gently slide your hands under the dough. Starting in the center slowly move your hands out to the edges of the dough, pulling very gently on the dough. Repeat this move over and over, moving in towards the center. Then move to the other side and repeat on that end. Do this until you have stretched every part of the dough evenly. Don’t worry about it being paper thin at this point! You just want to stretch it evenly.
Now you want to stretch it by holding one side down with your hand and forearm and gently stretching by pulling from underneath the dough with the other hand. You need to move slowly so that you can feel if the dough is getting so thin it might tear. If there are spots that feel thin, lighten up with your pressure.
If there are sections that get very thin, just leave them be and focus on the parts that are thicker. Remember that you are going to roll this up and even if you get several tears in your dough NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW!
Repeat both stretching techniques until the dough measures 3’x2′ and is paper thin, or close to that.
Using your hands gently rub the melted butter onto the entire surface of your dough. There are special pastry brushes made of feathers that are soft enough for the job, but don’t try this with a regular hair or rubber bristle brush or you will tear the dough.
Sprinkle the toasted bread crumbs over the entire surface of the dough. Spread the nuts about 3 inches from the short end of the dough in a 6-inch wide strip. Mix the apples with the raisins (cherries), including the rum, and the cinnamon sugar. Spread the apples over the nuts.
Using the cloth to help you, roll the dough into a tight log.
Curve the strudel into a horseshoe shape to fit on the sheet pan, lined with parchment or a silpat. Tuck the ends under and coat with the remaining butter.
Bake in the top 1/3 of oven for 30 minutes or until deep golden brown.
Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes and cut with a sharp serrated knife. The recipe says to eat the same day, but we all loved the left overs for breakfast the next day! Serve with softly whipped cream and a good cup of coffee!
Ingredients
Strudel Dough
- 1 1/3 cups (200 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
- 7 tbsp (105 ml) water plus more if needed
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil plus additional for coating the dough
- 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
Strudel Filling
- 1/4 cup dried cherries or 3 tbsp raisins
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) rum
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup 1 tbsp (80 g) sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick/115 g) unsalted butter melted, divided
- 2 cups fresh bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts optional
- 2 lbs tart cooking apples, peeled and sliced thin You want to use an apple that will keep its shape when baked. I used a combination of Granny Smith and braeburn.
Instructions
- Combine the flour, salt, water, oil and vinegar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. You will get a soft dough. Make sure it is not too dry, add more water if necessary. Mix until the dough forms a ball, it will not be smooth at this point.
- Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough for 5-8 minutes or until the dough is very smooth. It may not come together in one ball, but will be a few balls chasing each other around the bowl. Once it is smooth take it out, cover in plastic wrap and allow to rest for at least 30-90 minutes. I let mine sit overnight in the refrigerator.
- When ready to roll out your dough and make the strudel, preheat the oven to 400°F. Mix together the cherries (or raisins) and rum in a small bowl and set aside. Mix together the cinnamon and sugar in another small bowl and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and cook whilst stirring until golden brown and toasted. This will take about 3 minutes.
- Once your dough has rested you will need to set up a large work area with a cloth. Dust the cloth generously with flour and rub the flour into the cloth. This prevents the dough from sticking as you work it. I started the process by using my largest rolling pin. Once the dough has gotten too big and too thin to use the pin you will just use your hands to finish the dough. This is where you begin to listen to the dough. Turn up that music, get another cup of tea or a glass of wine and relax!
- Only use the backs of your hands and be sure to remove all of your jewelry. You will also want to wear short sleeves, because you get your arms in on the action too. Start at the short end and very gently slide your hands under the dough. Starting in the center slowly move your hands out to the edges of the dough, pulling very gently on the dough. Repeat this move over and over, moving in towards the center. Then move to the other side and repeat on that end. Do this until you have stretched every part of the dough evenly. Don't worry about it being paper thin at this point! You just want to stretch it evenly.
- Now you want to stretch it by holding one side down with your hand and forearm and gently stretching by pulling from underneath the dough with the other hand. You need to move slowly so that you can feel if the dough is getting so thin it might tear. If there are spots that feel thin, lighten up with your pressure. If there are sections that get very thin, just leave them be and focus on the parts that are thicker. Remember that you are going to roll this up and even if you get several tears in your dough NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW!
- Repeat both stretching techniques until the dough measures 3'x2' and is paper thin, or close to that.
- Using your hands gently rub the melted butter onto the entire surface of your dough. There are special pastry brushes made of feathers that are soft enough for the job, but don't try this with a regular hair or rubber bristle brush or you will tear the dough.
- Sprinkle the toasted bread crumbs over the entire surface of the dough. Spread the nuts about 3 inches from the short end of the dough in a 6-inch wide strip. Mix the apples with the cherries (or raisins), including the rum, and the cinnamon sugar. Spread the apples over the nuts. Using the cloth to help you, roll the dough into a tight log.
- Curve the strudel into a horseshoe shape to fit on the sheet pan, lined with parchment or a silpat. Tuck the ends under and coat with the remaining butter.
- Bake in the top 1/3 of oven for 30 minutes or until deep golden brown. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes and cut with a sharp serrated knife. The recipe says to eat the same day, but we all loved the left overs for breakfast the next day! Serve with softly whipped cream and a good cup of coffee!
Or instead of drinking tea….you could take nips from the rum like i did!
Thanks so much for the tips on getting the pastry thinner.
wish I had these instructions when I was making the strudel. My dough ball didn’t look anything as nice as yours. And good to know it could be made the night before and rest all night. Thanks for all the tips!
Wow your strudel looks so perfectly flaky!
those look awesome! i think my mistake was having a glass of wine instead of chamomile tea! LOL!
Lovely.
Thanks for the step-by-step photos too. I’m much less intimidated now. No more excuses for my DB tardiness, I’m off to the kitchen!
Beautiful strudel!
Zoe, pretty much the same principles apply to making your own phyllo.
The strudel is uber-delish!
Your strudel looks great, very flaky and crisp.
I love your step by step breakdown! I really needed this prior to making my strudel but next time!!!
Such a beautiful flakey pastry ! Love the filling too.
Wow, it’s beautiful! Mine wasn’t so lovely. I’ll be trying it again someday!
Wow! Mine sure didn’t look like yours but my next one will! LOL!!! Beautiful job Zoe!
You’re strudel turned out perfect. I hadn’t made it since culinary school either but found it fun and will make it again. It seemed harder when I was in school.
Delicious and beautiful! Well done.
Wow, that’s just gorgeous! But 5ft long? The CIA really doesn’t do half measures!
You did a hell of a job with the dough and your strudel came out gorgeous! Also, love the cherry-apple filling 🙂
Great pictures! Apples AND cherries? I’m there! 🙂
so flaky zoe. fabulous!
Great job! I love your step by step photos!
Another winning challenge, Zoe! Great job!
It looks gorgeous, Zoe! I am amazed at how you managed to keep the stretched dough in such a perfect rectangle!
Wow, it looks so pretty and flaky! No matter how hard I try, I can never seem to shape doughs into a perfect square or rectangle. Yours looks perfect, and I love the filling.
Gorgeous! And exactly the way my mother’s always looked using Phyllo dough. I’ve got to try the method you describe.
Amazing job on your strudel stretching. I only got as far as cardstock paper. Thank goodness for Phyllo dough. 🙂
Great info and photos of the process! Your end result looks amazing. Perfectly flaky and delicate.
Every step is perfection. Wonderful strudel. I finally got my cherries today. Expensive but worth it.