Klara's Traditional Croatian Apple Strudel Recipe - Strudel od Jakuba

Written by
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
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Barbara Rolek
Updated 05/21/21
Klara's traditional Croatian apple strudel recipe

The Spruce 
Prep: 45 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 90 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Yield: 2 strudels
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
2165 Calories
59g Fat
401g Carbs
19g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 2165
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 59g 76%
Saturated Fat 17g 86%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 945mg 41%
Total Carbohydrate 401g 146%
Dietary Fiber 20g 71%
Total Sugars 271g
Protein 19g
Vitamin C 3mg 13%
Calcium 187mg 14%
Iron 7mg 37%
Potassium 1131mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This recipe for Croatian apple strudel, strudel od jakuba, is made with filo dough and is from Klara Cvitanovich, co-owner of Drago's Restaurants in New Orleans, Metairie, La., and Jackson, Miss. This is one of the desserts, along with fritule and krostule, she serves her family for the Christmas holidays. The pita or pastry dough was always made by hand but, now, with filo dough so readily available, Cvitanovich uses it to make her strudel. You might also enjoy reading all about Croatian strudel.

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Ingredients

  • 10 sheets phyllo dough, thawed

  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted

  • 5 medium tart apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

  • 1/2 cup dark or light raisins

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar

  • 1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs

  • Confectioners sugar, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 F.

    Ingredients for Croatian apple strudel
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  2. On a clean, dry dish towel, place 1 sheet filo dough. Brush lightly with melted butter, beginning with edges and working toward the center.

    Filo dough
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  3. Repeat with 4 more sheets of filo dough, placing them one on top of the other. Remember to butter the fourth sheet.

    Repeat with filo dough
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  4. Place half the sliced apples evenly along one long side of filo dough in about a 4-inch-wide strip.

    Add apples
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  5. Then sprinkle half the nuts, raisins, zest, sugar, and breadcrumbs over the apples.

    Sprinkle raisins
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  6. Roll jellly-roll fashion, using a dish towel as an aid.

    Roll jelly roll fashion
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  7. Turn the ends under and brush the entire strudel with melted butter. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined sheet pan.

    Put on pan
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  8. Repeat with remaining 5 filo sheets and rest of filling.

  9. Bake about 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

    Bake
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  10. Remove from oven, cool, and dust with confectioners' sugar.

    Confectioner's sugar on top
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  11. Serve and enjoy!

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