Apfelstrudel

Apfelstrudel

The Oktoberfest in Munich is in full swing. It started on Sep. 20th and will go on until October 5th. FUN! :)

The first time that I've ever been to the Wiesn (how the Bavarians refer to the Oktoberfest) was last year. I have to confess I was completely surprised by what awaited me. 

I've always heard of it being a beer drinking celebration, and it sure is, but I think the best description for it is actually "giant amusement park". They have a Ferris Wheel, many other kid friendly attractions and obviously the famous beer houses where the grown up parties happen. Oh! And food, delicious German food. 

So while scratching my head for what my next post should be, I decided to bring Oktoberfest to the blog with a very German recipe, Apfelstrudel. Lass es dir schmecken! (Enjoy it!)

Aprfelstrudel

Apfelstrudel

Preparation time: 3 hrs

Yield: 1 Strudel

Level: Medium

Ingredients

Apple filling

• 80g Sugar
• 400g Fresh sliced apples (like Granny Smith)
• 80ml Water
• 2 tsp Cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tbsp Lemon juice

For the Strudel dough

• 200g All purpose flour
• 100g Warm water
• 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp Vinegar
• Pinch of salt

Additional

• 1/4 cup Bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup of Walnuts (crumbled)
• 2 + tbsp Melted butter
• Confectioner's Sugar

Instructions

Apple filling

In a deep pan, combine 60 ml of water, apple slices and half of the sugar. Bring it all to a boil and let it cook for about 3 minutes. Add the rest of the sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice, continue cooking for a couple more minutes. On a separate bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the rest of water, add it to the apple filling pan and cook until thickened. Turn the heat off and let it cool. 

Strudel dough

In a bowl, add warm water, oil, vinegar and salt, mix it slightly to dissolve the salt. Add flour and knead for about 5 minutes. Let dough rest for at least 30 minutes. 

Dust a generous amount of flour on a clean tea towel (it's better to use a printed one). Place the dough on top of the flour dusted tea towel and with a rolling pin, begin to roll it out. You will have to reposition the dough throughout the rolling time and continuously dust with flour. Roll it until you can see the print of the tea towel through the dough. The thinner the better.

To assemble the strudel

Generously brush the rolled out dough with melted butter, then sprinkle bread crumbs and walnuts. Distribute the apple filling in a 5 cm band in one of the sides of the dough, leaving a 5 cm margin alongside the apple filling band.

Caution: do not spread the apple filling all over the strudel sheet. 

Using the help of the tea towel start rolling the strudel in itself. When done, pinch the sides. 

Place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush more butter on top. Bake in a preheated 190 C (375 F) oven for about 30 minutes, or until it's developed a golden color. 

Sprinkle confectioner's sugar on top and let it cool down a bit before you dive into it. :)

Tips:

- You can also use store bought strudel or phyllo dough to make this Apfestrudel

- My apple filling is not very sweet. you are welcome to add more sugar according to taste

These items can help you prepare this recipe: