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Apple Strudel with Shortcrust Pastry

17/11/2023

Apple Strudel with Shortcrust Pastry is a delicious variation of the traditional version made with puff pastry or strudel dough. Here is the recipe to prepare this dessert:

Ingredients

For the shortcrust pastry:

  • 300 g of type 00 flour
  • 150 g of cold butter, cubed
  • 100 g of sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 pinch of salt

For the filling:

  • 4-5 apples (preferably a tart variety like Granny Smith)
  • 50 g of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons of raisins (optional, soaked in warm water or rum)
  • 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons of toasted breadcrumbs

Preparation:

  1. Shortcrust pastry: In a large bowl, mix the flour with the sugar and salt. Add the cubed cold butter and work with your fingers or a mixer until the mixture is sandy. Add the egg and yolk and work the dough until it forms an even ball. Wrap the shortcrust pastry in cling film and let it rest in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

  2. Filling: Peel the apples, remove the cores, and cut them into small pieces. In a bowl, mix the apples with the sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Add the raisins and pine nuts or chopped walnuts if you are using them.

  3. Assembly: Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Roll out the shortcrust pastry on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about half a centimeter thick. Spread the toasted breadcrumbs over the shortcrust pastry, leaving a border of about 2 cm. Distribute the apple filling on top of the breadcrumbs.

  4. Roll the shortcrust pastry around the filling, starting from the long side, and seal the edges. Place the strudel on a baking tray lined with parchment paper with the seam side down.

  5. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the shortcrust pastry becomes golden and crispy.

  6. Let the strudel cool before dusting with powdered sugar and serving.

Curiosity

In Italy, particularly in South Tyrol, apple strudel is a traditional dessert that is commonly made with puff pastry or strudel dough, but the version with shortcrust pastry offers a crumblier and sweeter texture that pairs wonderfully with the spiced apple filling.

Apple Strudel with Shortcrust Pastry