Looking for a fruity dessert, breakfast, or brunch recipe? Easy Apple Cream Cheese Strudel is bound to be right up your alley!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Strudel Recipe
Tender apples enveloped in a flaky pastry with a layer of sweet cream cheese spread — what’s not to love?
- Perfect for special occasions – Apple desserts like this one are perfect for the holiday season. The flavors will warm you to the core.
- Total showstopper – With its fancy folded technique, the top of the pastry is always so gorgeous and sure to impress. It’s the perfect delicious treat to impress.
- Loved by all – I’ve yet to meet someone who can resist a slice of warm strudel! This easy recipe is always a favorite.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this easy apple strudel recipe are easily found at your local grocery store if you don’t already have them on hand.
- Puff pastry – Just one puff pastry sheet, defrosted. I like to look for all-butter puff pastry sheets, but vegetable shortening works well too.
- Cream cheese – Go for full fat for full richness. Make sure it is good and softened so it spreads easily without tearing the puff pastry.
- Light brown sugar – Subtle hints of molasses caramelize even better with the apple pie filling. Dark brown sugar is another option.
- Vanilla – Vanilla extract or vanilla paste can be used and adds warmth. Almond extract is another good swap.
- Apple pie filling – Make your own apple mixture or grab a can at the grocery store. If making your own, use lemon juice to prevent the apples from browning.
- Butter – I do use salted here because there aren’t any other salty elements or added salt. You can also use an egg wash.
- Almonds – Nuts add crunch and earthiness. Consider using pecans or walnuts, or just leaving them off if you prefer.
- Turbinado sugar – Turbinado sugar is a large grain, coarse sugar that is sparkly and adds an irresistible crunch to the topping.
Variations
While I don’t love changing baked recipes too much, there are a few ways you can make this traditional apple strudel recipe your own.
- Topping – If you want to add another element to this classic dessert, try topping with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even drizzle with a vanilla sauce made with icing sugar or caramel sauce.
- Make your own filling – Make your own filling with fresh apples. The best types of apples to use are a mix of tart apples like granny smith apples and sweet ones like honey crisp apples or pink lady.
- Add-ins – Stir some extras into the fruit filling. Lemon zest, golden raisins, rum-soaked raisins, or even cinnamon for a spiced apple filling would be perfect.
How to Make Puff Pasty Apple Strudel
You are going to love how easy it is to make homemade apple strudel.
- Prepare oven and pan. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven.
- Make cream cheese filling. In a large bowl of a stand mixer, blend together the cream cheese with the light brown sugar and vanilla until well combined. Set aside.
- Cut pastry. Unroll the puff pastry on a clean work surface. Make 4-5 diagonal cuts down each side at the same intervals, leaving the center intact, kind of like a “V”.
- Add cream cheese and filling. Brush the puff pastry with melted butter, leaving a small amount for the top. Spread the cream cheese down the center and top with the apple pie filling, being mindful to not tear the pastry.
- Fold. Fold over the bottom piece, then alternating sides, braid strips of puff pastry over filling. At the end, fold over the end piece before the last two diagonal cuts. This forms a braid.
- Add almonds and sugar. Brush the top with more melted butter and transfer to the baking sheet. Top with the sliced almonds and turbinado sugar while still tacky.
- Bake. Bake in preheated oven until puff pastry is fluffy and light golden brown. Remove and serve hot or at room temperature.
Folding Cream Cheese Puff Pastry
The cuts and the folding of this gem can be a little tricky when you do it for the first time. For the best results, be sure to use a sharp knife or pizza cutter. You will have it in no time at all!
Next, fold, slather, fill and bake! This Apple Cream Cheese Strudel is literally that easy!
Serving this Apple Strudel Recipe
Easy Apple Cream Cheese Strudel is delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or even salted caramel ice cream.
Top it off with maple cream, caramel sauce, or Dutch honey. And of course, a cup of tea or coffee. Or serve it alongside our famous vanilla custard recipe.
Common Questions About Apple Strudel
Classic apple strudel is made from strudel dough but this recipe uses puff pastry dough, which is similar.
You can eat it either way! You can serve it straight from the fridge or, if you want the dough to be slightly crisp, just heat it briefly in the oven.
Apple strudel is a dessert that consists of apple filling contained in a flaky crust. A streusel is a flour-based topping that’s crumbly.
Storage
Store this strudel at room temperature for up to a week in an airtight container. To serve it warm, reheat it in the oven or microwave.
Freezer
Freeze the strudel for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container.
More Sweet Breakfast Treats
Breakfast is the perfect time to satisfy a sweet tooth. Here are more sweet breakfast ideas.
Easy Puff Pastry Apple Strudel
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry , defrosted
- 2 ounces cream cheese , room temperature
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups apple pie filling
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400°F degrees.
- In a small bowl, blend together the cream cheese with the light brown sugar and vanilla. Set aside.
- Unroll the puff pastry on a clean work space. Make 4-5 diagonal cuts down each side at the same intervals, leaving the center intact.
- Spread the cream cheese down the center and top with the apple pie filling.
- Fold over the bottom piece, then alternating sides, braid strips of puff pastry over filling. At the end, fold over the end piece before the last two diagonal cuts.
- Brush the top with they heavy cream and transfer to baking sheet. Top with the sliced almonds and turbinado sugar while still tacky.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until puff pastry is fluffy and lightly browned. Remove and serve hot or at room temperature.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
- Rum extract
- Raisins
- Currants
- Cranberries
- Add powdered sugar glaze
Nutrition
Love this recipe and the Apple recipe that is attached is excellent!