Easy Apple Strudel

My family always loves it when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too fattening and time-consuming, but this revised classic is just as good. It's best served warm from the oven.

Easy Apple Strudel

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 35 min.
YIELD: 6 servings.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup raisins
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups coarsely chopped peeled apples
  • 1/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 8 sheets phyllo dough (14x9-inch size)
  • Confectioners' sugar, optional

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Place raisins, water and extract in a large microwave-save bowl; microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-1/2 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Drain. Add apples, 1/3 cup sugar, flour and cinnamon; toss to combine.
  • 2. In a small bowl, mix melted butter and oil; remove 2 teaspoons mixture for brushing top. Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface; brush lightly with some of the butter mixture. (Keep remaining remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.) Layer with seven additional phyllo sheets, brushing each layer with some of the butter mixture. Spread apple mixture over phyllo to within 2 in. of one long side.
  • 3. Fold the short edges over filling. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting from the side with a 2-in. border. Transfer to a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush with reserved butter mixture; sprinkle with remaining sugar. With a sharp knife, cut diagonal slits in top of strudel.
  • 4. Bake until golden brown, 35-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 229 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 92mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.