Strudel tarts with apples and pears

Apple and pear strudel bites: a delicacy that combines the flavor of fruits with the crispy texture of pastry sheets. This recipe is not just a way to enjoy a delicious dessert, but also an opportunity to bring joy every day, whether you choose to serve them at breakfast, at a gathering with friends, or as a sweet snack on cool days.

Total preparation time: 1 hour
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 12 bites

A brief story about strudel

Strudel has a rich history, with deep roots in a culinary tradition that has been appreciated for centuries. Although its origins are disputed, it is known to have been popularized in many cultures, each adapting the recipe to the ingredients available. Today, strudel is loved worldwide, and the apple and pear variant is one of the most appreciated, having a perfect mix of sweet and tart, crunchy and soft.

Ingredients

For the pastry sheets:
- 125 g flour
- 10 ml sunflower oil
- 75 ml water
- a pinch of salt
- a pinch of sugar (optional)

If you prefer to use store-bought strudel sheets, make sure they are of good quality and thaw them properly.

For the filling:
- 2 or 3 large sweet apples (Golden type)
- 2 large sweet pears
- 30 g raisins, soaked in water
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons pistachios (or hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts – the choice is yours)
- 50 g dried plums
- 50 g dried apricots
- 35 g granulated sugar
- 30 pieces of large Savoiardi biscuits, broken into small pieces
- 25 g margarine or butter
- 100 g jam or preserve (quince, apricot, or your preference)
- 100 ml rum or liqueur (optional, for an intense flavor)
- cinnamon to taste
- zest of one lemon or orange (for flavor)

For decoration:
- 1 egg (for brushing)
- powdered sugar (for sprinkling at the end)
- thin slices of boiled apple (for garnish)

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Preparing the filling

1. Start by washing and peeling the apples and pears. Cut them into cubes, leaving a few long slices of apple for decoration.
2. In a large bowl, add the apple and pear cubes, drained raisins, pine nuts, pistachios, chopped dried plums, and apricots. Add sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest, and jam.
3. Carefully mix all the ingredients, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes, during which the flavors will combine beautifully.

Step 2: Preparing the dough

1. In another bowl, place the flour, oil, water, salt, and sugar. Knead until you obtain a smooth and elastic dough.
2. If you are using your own dough, form a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. If using store-bought strudel sheets, make sure they are fully thawed and roll them out gently with a rolling pin, sprinkling a little flour to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Assembling the bites

1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius.
2. Prepare the bite molds. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut it into circles (about 10 cm in diameter).
3. Use a fork to gently poke each circle. This will allow steam to escape during baking and prevent excessive puffing of the dough.
4. Place the dough circles in the bite molds. Fill each mold with 1-2 tablespoons of the apple and pear filling, arranging it well to avoid spilling.

Step 4: Baking

1. Decorate each bite with the reserved apple slices, arranging them in a flower shape. Sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon on top for added flavor.
2. Bake the bites in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy. It’s important to check with a toothpick if they are baked inside.
3. Let them cool slightly before removing them from the molds.

Step 5: Serving

1. The bites are delicious both warm and cold. You can sprinkle them again with powdered sugar before serving.
2. A wonderful idea is to serve them with a portion of warm chocolate sauce, which will make each bite a true delight.

Helpful tips

- If you want to enhance the flavor even more, you can also add a bit of vanilla extract to the filling.
- Instead of jam, you can experiment with various types of preserves or even a mix of fresh fruits.
- This recipe is perfect for freezing. You can prepare them in advance and keep them in the freezer for those moments when you crave something sweet.

Nutritional information

Each serving of apple and pear strudel bites contains approximately 200-250 calories, depending on the ingredients used. These bites are a source of vitamins from fruits, fiber, and, by adding nuts and seeds, also healthy fats.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use other fruits for the filling?
Yes, you can replace the apples and pears with other seasonal fruits, such as peaches, plums, or cherries.

2. Is it possible to make the bites vegan?
Absolutely! You can use vegan margarine and omit the egg for brushing.

3. How can I improve the texture of the dough?
Make sure to use ingredients at room temperature and knead the dough until it becomes elastic.

So, break the routine and treat yourself to these apple and pear strudel bites, a dessert that combines tradition and innovation, perfect for any occasion! Whether you enjoy them with a cup of hot tea or a glass of wine, these bites will surely bring a smile to your face. Enjoy!

 Ingredients: For the dough you need: -125g flour, -10ml sunflower oil, -75ml water, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of sugar. You can also buy frozen ready-made dough sheets from the store. -For the best filling in the world: -2 or 3 large sweet golden apples, -2 large sweet pears, -30g raisins soaked in water, -a good tablespoon of pine nuts, -two tablespoons of pistachios, -nuts, peanuts, or any nuts you have at home, -50g dried plums, and -50g dried apricots, or as many dried fruits as you have and like the most, -35g granulated sugar, -30 large savoiardi biscuits broken into small pieces, or sponge cake if you have it, -25g margarine or butter, -100g jam or fruit preserve you have at home; I used quince once and apricot the second time, -100ml rum or liqueur of your choice, -cinnamon, the zest of a lemon or an orange, -you can also add grated chocolate or pieces of white or dark chocolate as much as you want. To brush the long strudel, you also need an egg, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. For the little cakes, you only need thin slices of boiled apple, cooked for 3 minutes until soft and pliable for the flower, cinnamon, and powdered sugar.