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an apple strudel braid with a bourbon glaze, puff pastry squares, and puff pastry leaves

Apple Strudel Braid

Melinda | Missouri Girl
This apple strudel braid is an American style strudel made with lightly spiced cinnamon bourbon apples, an easy flaky homemade puff pastry dough, and an incredible buttered bourbon glaze.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
chill time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

Apple Filling:

  • 1 lb + 4 oz granny smith apples measured after they have been pealed, cored, and sliced (about 6 apples)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour

Glaze:

  • 4 tablespoon butter melted
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • ½ tablespoon bourbon
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.
  • Measure 1 lb 4 oz apples and add to a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl combine the sugar, cinnamon, flour, lemon juice, bourbon, and vanilla extract. Stir well.
  • Pour over the apples and toss to coat. Set aside.
  • Roll out a puff pastry sheet on a large piece of parchment paper to roughly 11 x 15 inches.
  • Cut 1 inch wide, 4 inch long, horizontal strips down the right side of the pastry sheet. Make sure to not cut into the middle part of the puff pastry sheet as this is where the apples will be placed. Repeat on the left side.
  • Transfer the puff pastry sheet on a 11 x 14 cookie sheet with sides using the parchment paper.
  • Arrange the apples in a long line down the middle of the puff pastry.
  • Starting on the top left, fold the top right strip of pastry dough diagonally over the apples, careful to avoid stretching the dough.
  • Then fold the top left stripe diagonally over the other strip of dough, making an X. Work your way down the length of the strudel, tucking and arranging the dough to resemble a braid.
  • Place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to cool.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Remove from the refrigerator and brush the top of the strudel with cream or an egg wash.
  • Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes
  • Let cool for 5 minutes then transfer to a serving platter (I use a large grill spatula to transfer but you can also use the parchment paper to assist).

Make the glaze:

  • In a small microwavable bowl, melt the butter.
  • Add the lemon juice, bourbon, pure vanilla extract, milk, salt, and powdered sugar. Stir well
  • Drizzle the glaze evenly over the top of the strudel.

Notes

Using a baking sheet with sides will prevent juices from running off and causing your oven to smoke. 
It is important to remember that the puff pastry dough must be kept cold at all times so work fast and put it in the refrigerator at any point if it seems to be getting too warm.  
Keyword apple braid, apple desserts, apple strudel, dessert, holiday desserts, puff pastry recipes