National Dish Austria: Apple and Cherry Strudel (Recipe)
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Treat yourself to apple and cherry strudel, one of the great classics of the Austrian dessert table. Sweet, fragrant apples meet tart, juicy cherries, all wrapped in a delicate, crisp pastry that shatters at the first bite. Traditionally baked fresh and served warm, it is just as welcome as a teatime treat as it is a rounded-off finish to a meal. Bring a little Viennese coffee-house charm straight to your own kitchen.
About Apple and Cherry Strudel
Apple and cherry strudel is a true masterpiece of Austrian baking. This aromatic treat brings together the fresh sweetness of apples and the tart fruitiness of cherries, all encased in a tender, crisp pastry. Traditionally the strudel is prepared à la minute and makes a genuine delight whether served as a dessert or alongside a cup of coffee. Savour the one-of-a-kind combination and the tempting aromas that set this dish apart, in the same comforting spirit as a classic Apple Strudel.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 2 apples (such as Boskoop)
- 100 g cherries (fresh or from a jar)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 200 g puff pastry
- 1 egg (for brushing)
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for apple and cherry strudel, it is worth paying attention to the freshness of the fruit. A local market or greengrocer is the best place to track down good-quality apples and cherries. Apples such as Boskoop are especially well suited to strudel thanks to their aromatic flavour. If you are using cherries from a jar, choose a variety packed in their own juice so the strudel does not turn out too watery.
Preparing the dish
Preparing apple and cherry strudel is simple and quick. Begin by peeling and coring the apples, then cutting them into small pieces. Combine the apples with the stoned cherries, sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Mixing everything together at this stage matters, as it lets the flavours develop evenly and keeps the fruit juicy while it bakes in the oven.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180 °C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface until it is nice and thin.
- Spread the prepared fruit mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving a border around the edges.
- Carefully roll up the strudel and seal the ends well.
- Brush the strudel with beaten egg and bake for around 30–35 minutes, until golden brown.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
For a gluten-free version of apple and cherry strudel, you can use one of the special gluten-free flour blends suited to puff pastry, which are now widely available in many supermarkets. For a lactose-free variant, take care to use lactose-free butter or margarine when making the pastry. Switching out these ingredients lets you enjoy the dish with barely any compromise.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
The recipe for apple and cherry strudel is easy to adapt for vegans too. Instead of the egg, brush the pastry with plant-based milk or a mixture of water and cornflour to give it a lovely glaze. When choosing ingredients such as the sugar, make sure it is vegan-friendly. These small adjustments allow vegans to enjoy the delicious taste of this classic Austrian dessert.
More tips and tricks
A few tips and tricks will help you bake the perfect apple and cherry strudel. Take care to roll out the pastry evenly so it bakes through at the same rate all over. Adjusting the baking time to your liking lets you make the strudel even crisper. Avoid a watery filling by draining off any excess juice before you roll up the strudel.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
This recipe offers plenty of scope to adapt it to your own preferences. Feel free to add extra spices such as nutmeg to give the strudel a special touch. Making it with other fruit, such as pears or blueberries, can make the strudel more interesting too. Let your creativity run free and experiment with different combinations — much as you might with a fruity Apple Compote.
Ingredient substitutions
If you are not keen on cherries, you can swap them for other berries you prefer. The choice of pastry can vary as well — use a ready-made version or make your own from wholemeal flour. Experiment with different kinds of sugar, such as raw cane sugar or honey, to tailor the strudel to your taste, just as you would when sweetening an Apple and Rosemary Compote.
Drink pairing ideas
A freshly baked apple and cherry strudel pairs beautifully with a range of drinks. Hot coffee or an aromatic tea are popular choices that bring out the flavours of the strudel. For special occasions you might also offer a dessert wine or a fruity liqueur, which complements the sweet notes of the strudel perfectly. Warming options such as mulled wine can be an excellent choice during the colder months.
Serving and presentation ideas
The presentation of apple and cherry strudel can be lifted with a few simple touches. Dust the finished strudel with icing sugar and serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Fresh mint leaves or a fruit coulis on the plate can make the dish even more appealing to the eye. Remember that presentation adds plenty to the appeal of the dish.
A bit of history
Apple and cherry strudel has a long tradition in Austrian cooking and is closely tied to the history of the strudel itself. It originally came from the Ottoman Empire and developed over the centuries into a much-loved dessert across Central Europe. In Austria this sweet treat is rooted firmly in home cooking and is often served as part of festive occasions or as a cosy family meal. The strudel therefore carries not only culinary meaning but cultural and social significance too — a hallmark of Austrian cuisine.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Apple and Cherry Strudel
Apple and cherry strudel is a delicious combination of fruity apples and cherries wrapped in a tender pastry. This traditional dish is easy to prepare and offers no end of ways to make it your own. With plenty of tips, tricks and alternatives, you can create a strudel that is entirely yours. Whether for a festive occasion or simply to go with a cup of coffee, this strudel is sure to become the highlight on any table.
