Indulge in the ultimate fall delight with this incredibly soft and sweet Apple Pumpkin Strudel, crafted effortlessly with flaky puff pastry. This delicate pastry is infused with the heartwarming embrace of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, all baked to perfection with tender fresh apples and just the right touch of sugar. Ideal for a cozy brunch or a show-stopping dessert, this exquisite apple pumpkin pastry is an absolute must-have for the autumn season, and truly, any time you crave the comforting flavors of pumpkin.
Discover the Ultimate Fall Delight: Easy Apple Pumpkin Strudel with Puff Pastry
When I first ventured into making this type of pastry back in 2015, I had no idea it would become such a cherished tradition. It was, in fact, my inaugural experience working with puff pastry – a culinary revelation that quickly transformed my approach to baking. As many of you who have followed my journey know, it certainly wasn’t my last! This simple yet elegant dough offers an incredible shortcut to creating something truly special, perfect for a leisurely weekend morning or a festive gathering. The magic happens as the flaky puff pastry envelops a rich, spiced filling of tender apples and creamy pumpkin, baking until golden brown and irresistibly crispy on the outside. A final drizzle of sweet vanilla glaze completes this comforting masterpiece, making every bite a delightful celebration of autumn.
Why This Apple Pumpkin Strudel Is Your New Fall Favorite
There’s something uniquely comforting about the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin wafting through your home as the days grow shorter and cooler. This apple pumpkin strudel isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience. It’s one of my absolute favorite pumpkin dessert recipes, bursting with sweet notes and warm spices that are guaranteed to satisfy every craving. Imagine serving this beautifully baked turnover alongside your morning coffee, a soothing cup of tea, or a refreshing glass of cold milk. For an extra touch of indulgence, we even love to pair this danish-style strudel with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream. The warm pastry melting with cold, creamy ice cream is simply divine!
While this strudel might remind you of a rich pumpkin spiced coffee cake, its distinct filling of sweet baked apples sets it apart, offering a wonderful textural contrast and an extra layer of fruity goodness. Both desserts are undeniably delicious, but this strudel offers that quintessential flaky pastry experience that’s hard to beat. Once you try it, you’ll understand why we can’t get enough!
The Allure of Autumn: Flavors and Aromas
Are you ready to transform your kitchen into an autumnal sanctuary, filled with the spicy and warm notes of apple and pumpkin? This recipe goes beyond delivering exceptional flavors; it invites you to savor the wonderful aromas that define the season. Each year, as autumn arrives, we eagerly anticipate making this strudel. And with every batch, it seems to grow even more delicious and satisfying. Its super moist textures make it delightfully easy to pull apart and enjoy, whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or indulging in a quiet moment of bliss.
Why This Easy Apple Pumpkin Strudel Recipe Will Win Your Heart
This recipe isn’t just another dessert; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a joy to bake. Here’s why this easy apple pumpkin strudel recipe deserves a permanent spot in your fall baking rotation:
- Irresistibly Sweet: Prepare for a symphony of sweetness! The natural sugars from the tender baked apples meld beautifully with the fluffy puff pastry, creating a cinnamon-rich delight. The simple glaze adds another layer of sugary perfection, ensuring every bite is a sweet escape.
- A Delight for All Ages (Family-Friendly): From the youngest gourmands to the most seasoned dessert enthusiasts, everyone will adore this yummy treat. Who could possibly resist a warm, golden-brown pumpkin and apple pastry, crowned with a luscious sugar glaze? It’s the perfect sweet ending to any family meal or a delightful addition to a holiday brunch.
- Incredibly Easy & Quick: Don’t let its elegant appearance fool you – this recipe is surprisingly straightforward. With minimal steps, almost anyone can master it. The secret? High-quality puff pastry, which not only guarantees a flaky, golden crust but also dramatically reduces prep time, allowing you to enjoy a homemade dessert with impressive ease.
- Embrace the Season’s Best: This strudel perfectly captures the essence of fall. With fresh apples, rich pumpkin, and a medley of warming spices, it’s a taste of autumn in every mouthful, bringing comfort and joy to cooler days.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Apple Pumpkin Strudel
Crafting this delightful strudel begins with a careful selection of ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture for your apple pumpkin dessert.
- Puff Pastry: The foundation of our strudel! You’ll typically find puff pastry dough in the frozen section of most well-stocked grocery stores, often near the bread and pie crusts. Opt for a good quality brand, as its flakiness is key to the strudel’s charm. Remember to thaw it partially before use for easier handling.
- Apples: Fresh, crisp apples are essential for a vibrant filling. While any variety will work, I particularly love using a combination of sweet and slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith. Honeycrisp offers a fantastic crunch and sweetness, Gala provides a mellow sweetness, and Granny Smith adds a lovely tart balance that prevents the strudel from being overly sweet. Dicing them uniformly ensures even cooking.
- Sugars: We’ll be using both white granulated sugar for the filling and white powdered sugar for the luscious icing. Granulated sugar sweetens the apple and pumpkin mixture, enhancing their natural flavors, while powdered sugar creates a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth glaze that beautifully complements the baked pastry.
- Spices: The heart of fall flavors! Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a touch of ginger come together to create that quintessential autumn aroma and taste profile. These warm spices are what make this strudel so comforting and irresistible. If you only have whole spices, you can grate them fresh using a microplane or food processor for an even more potent aroma and flavor.
- Pumpkin: Canned pumpkin purée is my go-to for its convenience and consistent texture. Just be sure to grab 100% pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling, which is already spiced and sweetened. For those who enjoy a more hands-on approach, homemade pumpkin purée works wonderfully too!
- Water: This humble ingredient serves a dual purpose. A small amount of water (optional) can be added to the apple-pumpkin filling to help loosen its consistency if it appears too thick, ensuring a moist interior. It’s also the base for our simple yet delicious icing. For an adult twist, you can substitute the water in the icing with your favorite bourbon for a subtle, sophisticated kick.
How to Make This Sweet Apple Pumpkin Pastry: A Simple Guide
Don’t be intimidated by the elegant appearance of this strudel. These steps are incredibly easy and straightforward, designed to ensure your success in crafting a perfectly baked sweet apple pumpkin pastry!
FIRST STEP – PREPARE THE FILLING AND OVEN
Begin by allowing your puff pastry sheets to partially thaw. This makes them much more pliable and easier to handle without tearing. While the pastry thaws, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 190 degrees Celsius) and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add your chopped apples. Let them cook down for about five minutes, stirring occasionally. This initial cooking softens the apples slightly, ensuring they’ll be perfectly tender in the final strudel. Next, stir in the granulated sugar, all your warming spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger), and the pumpkin purée until everything is well combined and fragrant.
If the apple-pumpkin mixture appears too thick, you can add a tablespoon or two of water at this stage to achieve a slightly looser, more spreadable consistency. Remember, this is an optional step, based on your filling’s texture.
SECOND STEP – ASSEMBLE YOUR PUFF PASTRY MASTERPIECE
Once thawed, carefully place your puff pastry sheets together lengthwise on the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet. Gently pinch the seams together firmly to create one larger, unified piece of pastry. This prevents the filling from escaping during baking. Spoon the prepared apple-pumpkin filling down the center of the pastry sheet, spreading it evenly but leaving a border on both sides for folding.
Now, carefully bring one side of the puff pastry over the filling, almost to the center. Repeat with the other side, leaving a small strip of the filling exposed in the very center. This creates the classic strudel look with an enticing peek at the delicious interior. Firmly pinch the pastry together at the top and bottom ends to seal the filling completely.
THIRD STEP – BAKE TO GOLDEN PERFECTION
Carefully transfer your assembled apple pumpkin strudel to the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pastry is beautifully golden brown, visibly flaky, and your kitchen is filled with an irresistible, fragrant aroma. Keep a close eye on it during the last few minutes to prevent over-browning. The goal is a perfectly crisp exterior and a tender, warm interior.
FOURTH STEP – THE IRRESISTIBLE GLAZE
While your strudel is baking, prepare the simple glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and water (or bourbon, for that adult twist) until smooth and pourable. Once the strudel emerges from the oven, immediately spoon or drizzle the glaze generously over the warm apple pumpkin danish. The warmth of the pastry will slightly melt the glaze, allowing it to sink in and create a beautiful, sweet finish.
Serve this delectable strudel warm for the most comforting experience, or at room temperature. Either way, it’s a guaranteed hit with everyone who tastes it!
Save This Recipe: Your Go-To Fall Dessert!
Planning your holiday menus or simply stocking up on cozy recipes for the cooler months? Be sure to save this incredible apple pumpkin strudel recipe! This fall dessert is truly special and one you’ll undoubtedly want to pin to your Pinterest board. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any autumnal gathering, promising warmth, flavor, and effortless elegance.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Apple Pumpkin Strudel
Achieving a perfectly baked strudel is simple with a few helpful pointers. Follow these tips to ensure your puff pastry strudel turns out beautifully every time:
- Avoid Overbaking: Be vigilant! Overbaking is the enemy of a soft, tender strudel. Once the pastry is golden brown and flaky, and the filling is bubbly, remove it from the oven. A slightly underbaked strudel will be doughy, but an overbaked one will be dry and crumbly.
- Serve Fresh for Best Results: While delicious at any temperature, this strudel truly shines when enjoyed soon after baking. The pastry is at its flakiest, and the warm filling is most fragrant.
- Proper Storage: If you happen to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat gently in a warm oven or microwave for a fresh-baked experience.
- Enhance Your Serving: Elevate your strudel by topping it with a dollop of creamy Cool Whip, freshly made whipped cream, or that scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream we mentioned earlier. A dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance.
- Creative Filling Variations: Feel free to get creative with your filling! While apples are classic, consider using ripe, firm pears for a different autumnal twist. You could also experiment with a blend of apples and berries, or even a touch of cream cheese for a richer texture.
- Ensure Puff Pastry is Cold: When working with puff pastry, always try to keep it as cold as possible (while still pliable). This helps create those distinct, flaky layers. If your kitchen is warm, work quickly or chill the pastry between steps.
- Don’t Overfill: While tempting, overfilling the strudel can make it difficult to seal and may lead to leakage during baking. Stick to the recommended amount of filling for optimal results.
Serving Suggestions for Your Apple Pumpkin Strudel
This versatile strudel is perfect for a variety of occasions. We particularly love serving this apple pumpkin strudel for a leisurely weekend brunch, where its warm, sweet flavors are a delightful start to the day. It also makes for an unforgettable holiday dessert, impressing guests with its homemade charm and comforting taste. Consider pairing it with a hot beverage like spiced cider, a gourmet coffee, or a cozy chai tea. For a lighter touch, a side of fresh fruit or a spoonful of Greek yogurt could balance its richness beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Pumpkin Strudel
Got questions about making the best apple pumpkin strudel recipe? We’ve got answers!
- Can I prepare the filling ahead of time? Absolutely! You can cook the apple and pumpkin filling a day or two in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply bring it to room temperature before assembling your strudel.
- Can I freeze uncooked strudel? While technically possible, it’s generally best to freeze the assembled strudel before baking, without the glaze. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. When ready to bake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. For best results, however, fresh is always superior.
- What if my puff pastry tears? Don’t panic! Puff pastry is quite forgiving. If you get a small tear, simply pinch it back together or patch it with a small piece of extra pastry. The flakiness of the pastry will often hide minor imperfections.
- Can I make this dairy-free? Yes, many puff pastry brands are accidentally dairy-free, but always check the label. Ensure your pumpkin purée and other ingredients are dairy-free, and use a water-based glaze.
Other Fall-Inspired Sweets You’ll Adore
If you’ve fallen in love with this easy apple pumpkin strudel, you’ll surely enjoy exploring these other delightful autumn treats. Each one brings its unique blend of fall flavors and comforting warmth:
- Fresh Apple Cake
- Apple Bars
- Pumpkin Pie Turnovers
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bars
- Sweet Pumpkin Pie Croissant Bundles
- Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce
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Print Recipe
Apple Pumpkin Strudel
Equipment
- KitchenAid Gourmet Rolling Pin, One Size, Red
- 12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
- 13×18 Half Sheet Pan
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 3 cups apple diced
- 6 Tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of allspice
- pinch of ginger
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry
- 1/3 cup water optional
For the Glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 6-8 Tablespoons water or substitute bourbon for an adult dessert
Instructions
- Partially thaw puff pastry.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add apples and let them cook down for about 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Add in sugar, spices and pumpkin stir. If you feel the consistency is too thick, you can add in the water to loosen the mixture.
- Place the puff pastry sheets together lengthwise, pinching the seams together to keep them secured.
- Spoon the apple filling down the center and spread out evenly.
- Carefully bring the sides of the puff pastry over, leaving the very center exposed. Pinch together at the top and bottom.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Mix together glaze ingredients, and drizzle over the strudel while warm.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on April 15, 2015. It was updated to improve user experience and reshared on October 16, 2021.
The Heartwarming Origin of Aunt Anna’s Apple Pumpkin Strudel
This beloved apple pumpkin strudel holds a special place in my culinary history. I initially shared this recipe as an introduction to a captivating new book series penned by a dear fellow food blogger friend. Her series featured an array of tempting recipes, and to help spread the word about her wonderful books, I chose to recreate and share one of these delightful creations. This particular recipe, famously known as Aunt Anna’s Apple Pumpkin Strudel, came from Terra’s book, “Catch Me.” It’s more than just a recipe; it’s a story, a connection, and a testament to the joy of shared culinary passion. I invite you to explore the source of this delicious inspiration and get your own copy of Catch Me on Amazon, and perhaps discover your next favorite recipe!
Let’s make some memories in the kitchen and bake up this delightful apple pumpkin pastry together, shall we? 