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

By Barbara Rolek

Updated 08/28/19

Klara's traditional Croatian apple strudel recipe

The Spruce 
  • Total: 90 mins
  • Prep: 45 mins
  • Cook: 45 mins
  • Yield: 2 Strudels (2 servings)

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.

Ingredients

  • 10 sheets thawed filo dough (thawed)
  • 4 ounces/1 stick butter (melted)
  • 5 apples (tart like Granny Smith, peeled, cored and thinly sliced)
  • 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup raisins (dark or light)
  • 1 teaspoon zest (lemon)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup bread crumbs (fine, dry)
  • Garnish: confectioners' sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Croatian apple strudel
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  2. Heat oven to 350 F.

  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. Then sprinkle half the nuts, raisins, zest, sugar, and breadcrumbs over the apples.

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

    Roll jelly roll fashion
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  8. 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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  9. Repeat with remaining 5 filo sheets and rest of filling.

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

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

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

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