Recipe

This Easy Puff Pastry Apple Strudel Will Make Your Thanksgiving Sweeter Than Ever

By Reni Forer at University of California – Berkeley

As the end of October draws near, we're all thinking about the wondrous break peeking over the horizon—Thanksgiving. We can almost smell the garlicky mashed potatoes, the slowly roasting turkey, and the buttery biscuits baking in the oven. We all know that Thanksgiving is the world's best excuse to eat thousands of calories in one sitting and feel no shame. So, take advantage of it and add this easy puff pastry apple strudel to your friends or family's Thanksgiving table. 

"But the pumpkin pie!" you might exclaim, aghast that someone would even dream of replacing it. Yet if you stop and think about it, after an entire season of pumpkin spice everything, aren't you a little tired of our round orange friends? This apple strudel recipe allows another fall staple to shine in pumpkins' place: apples. The warm scents of cinnamon and baking apples will waft through your house and make everyone inevitably forget about that pesky pumpkin pie. It's hard to remember overcooked crusts and bland pie filling when you have a slice of warm, flaky pastry filled with tender apples and sugary cinnamon in your hands.

Plus, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make, and uses incredibly inexpensive ingredients, so college students on a budget will delight in its ease. This apple strudel is a great recipe for any Friendsgiving potlucks that you might have before everyone goes their separate ways for Thanksgiving break. You'll awe your friends with your baking prowess (we won't tell them that you used pre-made puff pastry).

#SpoonTip: If you're trying to keep your Thanksgiving desserts low sugar, we suggest replacing the sugar in the apple mixture with honey or stevia and not sprinkling any over the top. 

Easy Puff Pastry Apple Strudel

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Servings: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 box puff pastry
  • 3 apples
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 4 tbsp sugar
  • 1 egg whisked

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Step 1

Preheat oven to 400°F and collect ingredients.

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Step 2

Peel apples and cut into small cubes.

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Step 3

Mix apples with cinnamon and 3 tbsp sugar.

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Step 4

Place puff pastry sheet flat on a large baking sheet.

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Step 5

Add apple mixture to half the puff pastry sheet and brush edges with whisked egg wash.

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Step 6

Fold puff pastry sheet over so apple mixture is completely covered. Press to seal edges together.

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Step 7

Brush egg wash over and then sprinkle 1 tbsp of sugar over folded puff pastry.

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Step 8

Bake for 12-15 minutes, and serve warm.

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If you want to add some flair to this puff pastry apple strudel, try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit to the apple mixture. European apple strudels typically have raisins but don't be afraid to play around. Sliced almonds and walnuts would both add some crunch to the strudel while dried cranberries or apricots would give it some additional fruity sweetness. 

Finally, don't forget to top your slice of warm apple strudel with some homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a stunning finishing touch. 

So let's kick pumpkin pie to the curb and celebrate fall's new favorite dessert—puff pastry apple strudel. After all, who doesn't love something filled with sugar, and spice, and everything nice?