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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Cream Cheese Preparation: Whisk cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, then set aside momentarily to allow flavors to meld.
- Apple Mixture Development: Combine diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour, gently tossing to ensure even coating and maximum flavor infusion.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal baking performance.
- Pastry Foundation: Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, creating a rectangular base for the strudel construction.
- 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.
- 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.
- Egg Wash Application: Whisk egg and milk together, then generously brush the mixture over the entire pastry surface to achieve a golden, glossy exterior.
- 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.
- Glaze Finale: While cooling, craft a smooth glaze by blending powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until reaching a perfect drizzling consistency.
- 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