Irresistible Apple Cream Cheese Strudel Recipe: Sweet Homemade Joy

Baking a delightful easy apple cream cheese strudel recipe brings pure joy to any kitchen.

Crisp, golden pastry envelops a luscious filling that dances with sweet and tangy notes.

Layers of flaky dough embrace soft cream cheese and tender apples in perfect harmony.

Warm spices mingle with creamy textures, creating a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Delicate and elegant, this strudel transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular treat.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of comfort and sophistication.

Dive into this irresistible dessert that will surely become a cherished favorite at your table.

Serving Apple Cream Cheese Strudel Made Easy

• Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair this delightful strudel with a steaming mug of coffee or a creamy cappuccino for a perfect morning treat that elevates your breakfast experience.
• Elegant Dessert Twist: Serve slightly warm as a sophisticated after-dinner dessert, garnished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream for extra indulgence.
• Brunch Party Centerpiece: Create a stunning presentation by cutting the strudel into smaller slices, arranging on a beautiful platter with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an impressive brunch gathering.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Slice into bite-sized pieces and serve alongside other pastries during afternoon tea, complementing the strudel with a selection of herbal teas or sparkling cider for a delightful midday snack.

How To Store Easy Apple Cream Cheese Strudel

• Fridge-Friendly Strategies: Store the strudel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the delicate pastry's crispness by placing a paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture.
• Cool-Down Technique: Allow the strudel to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation from making the pastry soggy and maintains its delightful flaky texture.
• Freezer Magic: Wrap individual slices or the entire strudel tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven at 325F for 10-15 minutes to restore its crispy exterior.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the filling and braid the pastry up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. This lets you enjoy fresh-baked strudel with minimal morning prep time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients List For Easy Apple Cream Cheese Strudel

• Cream Cheese: Provides a rich, tangy foundation that adds luxurious smoothness to the filling, choose full-fat for best texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture, opt for fine-crystal sugar for smooth blending.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes, choose pure extract for authentic taste.

• Apples: Bring natural sweetness and crisp texture, select firm baking varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and helps apples caramelize, look for moist, clump-free sugar.
• Cinnamon: Delivers warm, spicy depth that complements apple's natural sweetness, use freshly ground for intense flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken apple mixture and prevent excess liquid, ensure it's fresh and properly stored.

• Puff Pastry: Creates flaky, golden exterior, thaw completely before using for even baking.
• Egg: Provides golden shine and helps seal pastry edges, use fresh room-temperature egg.
• Milk: Helps create beautiful bronzed surface when mixed with egg wash.
• Powdered Sugar: Forms silky smooth glaze, sift to remove any lumps.

Baking Gear For Easy Apple Cream Cheese Strudel

• Baking Sheet: Essential for even baking and keeping your oven clean.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Rolling Pin: Helps stretch the puff pastry perfectly.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing cream cheese and apple fillings.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients smoothly and creating the egg wash.
• Sharp Knife: Great for cutting pastry strips and creating the braided design.
• Small Bowls: Ideal for making glazes and mixing small ingredient portions.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient measurements.

Steps To Make Easy Apple Cream Cheese Strudel

• Apple Cream Cheese Magic

Create a delightful pastry that combines creamy cheese and sweet apples in a golden-brown wonder. This dessert brings together classic flavors that dance on your taste buds and impress everyone at the table.

• Pastry Foundation

Gently roll out your puff pastry on a clean surface. The key is to handle the dough with care, creating a smooth canvas for your delicious filling. Spread a luxurious layer of cream cheese down the center, leaving space around the edges for a perfect seal.

• Fruity Goodness

Scatter apple pieces generously over the cream cheese base. Sprinkle with warm spices that add depth and excitement to each bite. The combination of soft cheese and juicy apples creates a mouthwatering foundation.

• Braided Beauty

Transform your strudel into a work of art by cutting strips along the sides of the pastry. Carefully weave these strips over the filling, creating an intricate braided pattern that looks impressive and traps all the delicious flavors inside.

• Golden Finish

Brush the pastry with a silky egg wash to create a beautiful golden-brown exterior. Pop the strudel into a preheated oven and watch it transform into a stunning dessert. Once it emerges with a crispy, flaky crust, drizzle with a sweet vanilla glaze that adds the perfect finishing touch.

Tips To Bake Apple Cream Cheese Strudel

• Pastry Pro Tip: Always keep puff pastry chilled until ready to use. Cold pastry creates those beautiful, flaky layers that make strudels irresistibly delicious.
• Fruit Flexibility: Swap apples with pears, peaches, or mixed berries for a delightful seasonal twist. Each fruit brings its own unique flavor profile and keeps the dessert exciting.
• Dietary Friendly Makeover: For gluten-free friends, replace traditional puff pastry with gluten-free alternatives made from almond or rice flour. Low-sugar bakers can substitute granulated sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a lighter version.
• Texture Enhancement: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the apple mixture for extra crunch. Toasting nuts beforehand intensifies their flavor and provides a delightful textural contrast against the creamy filling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the strudel up to the braiding stage, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, brush with egg wash and pop directly into the preheated oven for a fresh, warm dessert without last-minute stress.

Heavenly Apple Cream Cheese Strudel

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Delightful easy apple cream cheese strudel combines European pastry traditions with creamy filling and tender apples. Crisp phyllo layers and warm spices create a perfect dessert you’ll savor with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed)
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese (softened)
• 1 medium apple (peeled, finely diced, Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp milk
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Cream Cheese Preparation: Whisk cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, then set aside momentarily to allow flavors to meld.
2. Apple Mixture Development: Combine diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour, gently tossing to ensure even coating and maximum flavor infusion.
3. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal baking performance.
4. Pastry Foundation: Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, creating a rectangular base for the strudel construction.
5. Layering Process: Spread cream cheese mixture down the center of the pastry, leaving a modest border, then artfully arrange the spiced apple mixture on top, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
6. Lattice Technique: Slice 1-inch parallel strips along the pastry sides, then intricately weave these strips over the filling, alternating sides to create an elegant braided pattern.
7. Egg Wash Application: Whisk egg and milk together, then generously brush the mixture over the entire pastry surface to achieve a golden, glossy exterior.
8. Baking Sequence: Transfer the prepared strudel to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry turns a rich, amber-brown and becomes delightfully flaky.
9. Glaze Finale: While cooling, craft a smooth glaze by blending powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until reaching a perfect drizzling consistency.
10. Presentation: Once slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze across the strudel’s surface, slice into elegant portions, and serve immediately to capture the perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and buttery flavors.

Notes

• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Pat apple pieces dry with paper towels before mixing with sugar to reduce excess moisture that might compromise pastry crispness.
• Pastry Temperature Matters: Keep puff pastry chilled until ready to use, ensuring it remains firm and creates those beautiful, flaky layers during baking.
• Egg Wash Technique: Apply egg wash gently with a soft pastry brush, avoiding pooling that could make the surface uneven or block proper browning.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute traditional puff pastry with gluten-free alternatives and add a touch of xanthan gum to maintain structural integrity and texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Austrian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg