Step 2: Make the Breadcrumb Base
Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the breadcrumbs and toast them gently, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool.
This step is one of Grandma’s secrets—the breadcrumbs absorb excess apple juices, keeping the strudel crisp instead of soggy.
Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling
Place the sliced apples in a large bowl. Add sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and raisins if using. Toss gently to coat the apples evenly. Set aside while you prepare the dough.
Step 4: Stretch the Dough
Cover a large table or countertop with a clean cloth and lightly flour it. Place the rested dough in the center and roll it out slightly with a rolling pin.
Then, using the backs of your hands, gently stretch the dough from the center outward. Work slowly and patiently until the dough becomes very thin—thin enough to almost see the cloth underneath. Don’t worry if the edges tear slightly; that’s part of the tradition.
Step 5: Assemble the Strudel
Brush the stretched dough generously with melted butter. Sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs evenly over the surface, leaving a border around the edges.
Spread the apple filling over the breadcrumbs in an even layer. Fold the sides of the dough inward, then use the cloth to carefully roll the strudel into a tight log.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Carefully transfer the strudel to a buttered baking sheet, seam-side down. Brush the top generously with more melted butter.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 40–45 minutes, or until the strudel is golden brown and crisp.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Once baked, let the strudel rest for about 10 minutes. Dust generously with powdered sugar before slicing.
Serve warm, just as Grandma did—perfect on its own or with a spoonful of whipped cream or vanilla sauce.
Final Thoughts
My Grandma’s Apple Strudel is more than a dessert—it’s a reminder that the best recipes take time, care, and love. From stretching the dough by hand to savoring the aroma of apples and cinnamon filling the kitchen, every step connects you to generations past.
Bake it slowly, enjoy the process, and share it with people you love—because that’s how this strudel was always meant to be enjoyed. 🍎🥧
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