I love things with apples in them, but they can be such a pain to peel, slice, etc to get them ready to cook with. So I give my boys the opportunity to help me - they are all capable ot peeling apples and using the slicer. A little less tedium encourages me to bake more yummy things so they don't complain too much! And who doesn't like delicious apple strudel? Especially when it's warm, right out of the oven?
Apple Strudel
1 sheet of puff pastry
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tart apples (like Granny Smith)
Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the puff pastry in the center of the cookie sheet and roll it thin - about 16x12 inches. I rolled mine until it almost touched the sides of the cookie sheet. Peel and slice the apple thin. I had my son use our apple slicer (cuts into 8 slices) then I cut each slice into thirds. In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add the apples. Use your hands to toss to coat. Place the apples down the center of the puff pastry lengthwise. Cut slits in the puff pastry about 1 inch apart on each side of the apples, starting about 1/2 inch away from the apples and going through the edge. Use these to fold over the apples at an angle, alternating sides so it appears to be braided. Tuck the ends under and bake at 350 degrees about 30 minutes or unti golden brown.
I used glaze of 1 c. powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and 3/4 Tbsp. milk once the strudel had cooled a little.
