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Whole Trentino apple strudel on a wooden board dusted with powdered sugar, sliced to show apple and raisin filling

Trentino Apple Strudel: The Italian Alpine Version

A traditional Trentino apple strudel made with hand-stretched oil dough, tart apples, pine nuts, raisins, and a dusting of cinnamon. Serves 6 to 8.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Calories: 310

Ingredients
  

Strudel Dough
  • 200 g 00 flour or all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
  • 100 ml warm water
  • 2 tbsp sunflower or mild olive oil
  • 1 pinch fine sea salt
Apple Filling
  • 800 g tart apples (Renetta or Granny Smith) peeled, cored, sliced 3 mm thin
  • 60 g raisins soaked 20 minutes in warm water or grappa, then drained and patted dry
  • 40 g pine nuts toasted in a dry pan for 2 minutes
  • 40 g fine dry breadcrumbs
  • 60 g granulated sugar adjust to apple tartness
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest optional
  • 30 g unsalted butter melted, for brushing the dough and the baked top
To Finish
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting before serving

Method
 

Make the Dough
  1. Combine the flour and salt in a bowl. Add the oil and warm water, then mix until a rough dough forms.
  2. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth, soft, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
  3. Shape into a ball, brush lightly with oil, wrap in plastic wrap, and rest at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
  1. Combine the sliced apples, drained raisins, toasted pine nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest in a large bowl. Toss well and set aside.
  2. Toast the breadcrumbs in a small dry pan over medium heat for 2 minutes until lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
Stretch the Dough
  1. Heat the oven to 180 C / 350 F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Spread a large, clean linen cloth on a table and dust it generously with flour. Place the rested dough in the center.
  3. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a rough rectangle about 3 to 4 mm thick.
  4. Place both hands under the dough, palms down. Working from the center outward, stretch the dough gently using the backs of your hands until it is thin enough to see light through it, roughly 50 x 70 cm. Trim any thick edges with scissors.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Brush the stretched dough with half the melted butter, leaving a 5 cm border along one long edge.
  2. Scatter the toasted breadcrumbs evenly over the buttered dough, staying within the border.
  3. Spread the apple filling in an even layer over the breadcrumbs.
  4. Using the cloth to help you, fold the short sides in by about 3 cm to seal the ends. Then roll the strudel away from you into a tight log, using the cloth to guide it without touching the dough directly.
  5. Transfer the strudel seam-side down to the prepared baking tray. Brush the top and sides with the remaining melted butter.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes, then brush again with any remaining butter. Continue baking for 18 to 20 minutes more until the crust is deep golden and crisp.
  7. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Notes

Nutrition is estimated per slice based on 8 slices and will vary with apple variety and sugar adjustment. The dough can be made the evening before and refrigerated overnight wrapped tightly in plastic - bring it back to room temperature for 20 minutes before stretching.