German Strudels Recipes

GERMAN APPLE STRUDEL (APFELSTRUDEL)

Steps:

• Combine the flour and salt in a stand-mixer. Using the paddle attachment, add in the water, oil, and vinegar while mixing on low speed until you get a soft dough. Change out the paddle attachment for the dough hook, then knead the dough on medium speed until a soft ball forms.
• Transfer the dough to a clean work surface and knead for 2-3 minutes, until smooth. Slam the dough onto the work surface a few times to enhance gluten development, then shape into a ball and transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, giving the dough a quick torn to lightly coat it in oil on top so it doesn't dry out. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 60-90 minutes.
• When the dough is almost done resting, heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the raisins in a bowl of hot water to soak. Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Cover your kitchen table or large counter space with a clean tablecloth or sheet.
• To stretch the dough, first move it from the bowl to a clean, dry surface and cut it cleanly in half with a bench scraper, pizza cutter, or large knife. Set one half of the dough to the side. Shape the other half of the dough into a ball and roll it out as thin as you can.
• Gently lift the dough and transfer it to the clean, flat surface covered by the tablecloth. Working gently, lift and stretch the dough a little at a time. When you first start, you can use your knuckles (be sure to remove all jewelry first) underneath the dough to stretch it like a pizza with the back of your hands. Continue to stretch the dough by lifting gently from the thicker edges and wafting a little air under the dough as you pull away from the center of the dough. As it thins out, the weight of the dough will mostly hold it in place on the tablecloth while you stretch out one side, then the other, increasing the size of the dough and stretching it thinner and thinner each time. As you lift and gently pull, you will see areas where the dough is thinning out and you will know the dough is thin enough when you are able to see the pattern of the tablecloth through the dough.
• Continue to stretch and pull the dough until it is paper-thin and a large rectangular shape. If there is a thick band of dough around the edges, remove it by gently tearing it away or carefully tug on the band, stretching the dough even a bit further to thin that thick band of dough out.
• Using a your hands (or a very soft pastry brush, although I find that my hands work best), gently spread 1/4 cup of the melted butter over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle half of the breadcrumbs over half of the dough, then place half of the sliced apples on top of the breadcrumbs. Cover the apples evenly with half of the raisins (and walnuts, if using) and half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Fold the short end of the dough over onto the filling, then fold the sides over as well to create a sort of envelope edge that will keep the filling in place as you roll the strudel. Grab the tablecloth close to the short, filled end of the strudel and lift it, allowing the strudel to roll or fold onto itself. Keep lifting the tablecloth, rolling the strudel into a log, making sure the filling stays tucked inside.
• Carefully transfer the strudel onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, seam side down. Repeat with the remaining half of the dough and filling ingredients, reserving 1/4 cup of melted butter. Both strudel should fit side by side on the same baking sheet with space between them. Brush the tops of both strudel with the remaining melted butter.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the dough is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow strudel to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

GERMAN APPLE STRUDEL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large saucepan, combine the apples, brown sugar and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer and cook until the apples soften and breakdown, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
• Meanwhile, combine the apple juice and raisins in a small bowl and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Combine the cinnamon, granulated sugar and pecans in a small bowl. Lay out a sheet of phyllo dough. Brush with butter, sprinkle with some pecan-sugar mixture and put another phyllo sheet on top. Repeat this process until all the sheets and pecan-sugar mixture are used up.
• Drain the raisins and stir them into the apples. On the last buttered sheet, put the apple mixture in a line across the sheet horizontally, leaving 1 inch on each side. Carefully roll the pastry away from you to enclose the filling, making a log.
• Close the ends with your fingers, brush the top with butter and sprinkle extra brown sugar on top. Transfer the strudel to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned and crisp on top, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool. Slice with a serrated knife into 2-inch pieces and serve with whipped cream.

STRUDEL DOUGH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt.
• Mix sugar, eggs and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a small bowl. Quickly stir into the flour mixture. Mix in approximately 1/2 the water. Knead into a soft, pliable dough, using more of the water as necessary.
• Cover dough with a tea towel and allow to sit at least 1 hour while desired filling is prepared. To use, divide into two parts. Cover half the dough with plastic wrap while you roll out the other.
• Carefully stretch the dough into paper thinness on a lightly floured surface (a clean cotton sheet is ideal) and lightly brush with remaining vegetable oil. Fill and bake as desired.

GERMAN STOLLEN

Steps:

• Place flour in a large bowl, make a well in the center, and crumble fresh yeast into it. Sprinkle in sugar and add 1 tablespoon milk. Cover and let rise at a warm place for 15 minutes.
• Heat 1 1/2 cups milk and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat until butter is melted.
• Pour milk-butter mixture over yeast mixture and add 1 cup sugar, egg yolks, and salt. Knead until a soft dough forms. Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix almonds, raisins, candied lemon peel, and candied orange peel together and fold into the dough. Shape dough into a loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rest until the loaf has risen again slightly, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven. Brush hot stollen immediately with 2 tablespoons melted butter and dust with confectioners' sugar.

GERMAN STRUDELS

Steps:

• Combine yeast, salt, sugar, water, egg, and flour to make dough.
• Divide the dough into small balls.
• Let rest for a while.
• Roll balls to about 1/4 inch thick and spread with warm oil.
• Let the dough rest for a few minutes so the dough will stretch easily, then stretch the dough paper thin.
• Once the dough is stretched, roll it like you would for cinnamon rolls.
• Cut the dough (which is rolled up like a snake now) into 3 inch lengths.
• Coat roaster or heavy pan (you can also use and electric frying pan) with shortening or oil, put as many diced potatoes and onions as you like and season with salt and pepper.
• Add water to cover the potatoes and bring to a boil.
• Once water is boiling lay strudels on top of potatoes in two layers.
• Water should nearly cover strudels.
• COVER TIGHTLY-THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT OR RECIPE WILL NOT WORK!
• YOU CANNOT PEEK OR THE STRUDELS WILL "FALL"!
• Cook over low heat 30 to 35 minutes, or until you can hear a slight "frying" noise in the pan.
• Enjoy!

STRUDELS (GERMAN DUMPLINGS)

Steps:

• Mix water, salt, baking powder and flour to form dough.
• Knead dough on floured surface until elastic.
• Set aside and cover with wax paper for approximately 20 minutes.
• Roll dough out with rolling pin until it's as thin as you can make it.
• Rub a small amount of oil on top.
• Pull dough out, starting on edges.
• When it's pulled thin, stretch it out on the counter and anchor it on the ends (with water glasses or bowls).
• Flip it lengthwise 3 or 4 times into 1" wide strips.
• Slice off strip and cut into 2" pieces.
• Repeat until no more dough is left.
• Heat 1 tablespoon lard in frying pan at maximum heat and then turn down to setting 4.
• Fry dough in lard, adding lard as needed.
• Remove and let stand in a bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon lard in large pot on setting 6.
• Add onions and saute until they start to brown, then add potatoes.
• Add water to cover potatoes, salt and pepper.
• Cook covered until potatoes are half cooked (approximately 15 minutes).
• Add 2" water and bring to boil.
• Add dough pieces and cook covered for 1/2 hour on setting 4.

GERMAN APPLE STRUDEL

Steps:

• Place flour in a mixer bowl; beat in 1/4 cup oil (mixture will be slightly crumbly). In a small bowl, slowly whisk warm water into beaten egg; add to flour mixture, mixing well. Beat in remaining oil until smooth. Transfer to a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rest in a warm place, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. Spread bread crumbs into an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Cool completely., Tape a 30x15-in. sheet of parchment onto a work surface; dust lightly with flour. Divide dough in half; place 1 portion on parchment and roll to a very thin 24x15-in. rectangle. (Keep remaining dough covered.) Remove tape from parchment., Sprinkle 3/4 cup bread crumbs over rectangle to within 1 in. of edges. Starting 3 in. from a short side, sprinkle 3 cups apples and 1/4 cup raisins over a 3-in.-wide section of dough. Mix sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle half of the mixture over fruit. Drizzle with half of the melted butter., Roll up jelly-roll style, starting at fruit-covered end and lifting with parchment; fold in sides of dough as you roll to contain filling. Using parchment, transfer strudel to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; trim parchment to fit pan., Bake on lowest oven rack 45-55 minutes or until golden brown, brushing top with sour cream 2 times while baking. Repeat with remaining ingredients., Using parchment, transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.