Altwiener Apfelstrudel (Viennese Apple Strudel)

Step 1

For the dough:

Step 2

Mix together in a large bowl, the flour and the salt.

Step 3

Add in the water and then the oil

Step 4

Stir together with a spoon until it comes together and you can work it with your hands.

Step 5

Knead the dough until it is smooth and tacky, but not sticky about 5 minutes.

Step 6

If you need to add more flour, add just one teaspoon at a time.

Step 7

Form the dough into a smooth ball and brush it with a little bit of oil.

Step 8

Place the ball back into the bowl and cover for one hour.

Step 9

For the crumb filling:

Step 10

Heat the butter in a saucepan until foaming and then add in the bread crumbs.

Step 11

Toast them stirring constantly until medium brown, set aside to cool.

Step 12

For the apple filling:

Step 13

Soak the raisins in the rum or orange juice.

Step 14

In a large bowl, mix together the apples, raisins, sugar, lemon juice, zest and cinnamon, mix well.

Step 15

Roll out the dough on a large floured work surface to about 9”x13”

Step 16

Lightly flour a clean tea towel and place it over the dough.

Step 17

Grab both the dough and towel and flip it over making sure to straighten both of them.

Step 18

Using your hands gently stretch the dough, thinner on all sides, working your way around all the dough. Let it rest a minute and stretch again any thick areas.

Step 19

Spread the breadcrumbs over 2/3 of the dough and pat down evenly.

Step 20

Drain the apples and spread them over the other 1/3 of the dough.

Step 21

Cut off any thick edges with kitchen shears or a pastry knife.

Step 22

Using the towel, fold one side of the dough over the filling.

Step 23

Brush the exposed dough with the melted butter.

Step 24

Fold in the ends of the dough like a burrito or envelope

Step 25

Fold the other side of the dough up and over the filling to form a roll.

Step 26

Brush with butter.

Step 27

Use the towel to move the strudel to a parchment lined baking dish, so the seam side of the strudel is facing down.

Step 28

Brush with melted butter

Step 29

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes and then turn down to 350 degrees for 40 -60 minutes until golden brown.

Step 30

Remove from the oven and brush again with melted butter and sprinkle with powdered sugar while it is still warm.

Step 31

Cut into 1 ½ inch wide slices and serve with whipped cream, or vanilla Ice cream.