Description
A cozy, sophisticated fall dessert featuring thin, crispy phyllo dough layered with spiced Granny Smith apples and topped with a rich vanilla bean bourbon sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium Granny Smith apples (about 1.5 lbs / 680g), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 package phyllo dough, thawed
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, toasted)
- ¼ cup (60ml) bourbon
- ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, toss sliced apples with granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and toasted nuts. Set aside.
- Brush the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter.
- Layer 6-8 sheets of phyllo dough in the dish, brushing each sheet generously with melted butter. Allow edges to hang over the sides.
- Spread the spiced apple mixture evenly over the phyllo base.
- Layer the remaining phyllo sheets on top, brushing each with melted butter.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is deep golden brown and apples are bubbling. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- While strudel bakes, combine brown sugar, bourbon, cream, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk constantly and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Let strudel cool for 10 minutes to set.
- Slice into squares and drizzle generously with warm bourbon sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
Keep phyllo dough covered with a damp towel while working to prevent cracking. Toast nuts for extra flavor. The sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently. Do not freeze the baked strudel with sauce as the texture will suffer.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: Oktoberfest, apple strudel, phyllo dough, bourbon sauce, fall dessert, easy dessert, german recipe, apple pie alternative