Strudel Cookies
Strudel Cookies are small, delicious pastries that look like they came from an old-fashioned bakery.
These cookies blend the tartness of apricot and the sweetness of cherries into an irresistible treat.
And you’ll need 5 simple ingredients to make these amazing strudel cookies.
Think of these strudel cookies as a cross between two classic German pastry recipes: ‘Apfelstrudel’ and ‘Schnecken’.
Apfelstrudel and what?
‘Apfelstrudel’ is the German word for apple strudel. Technically speaking, apple strudel is NOT a German dessert. Apple Strudel originates in Austria, not Germany. Nonetheless, it is widely popular in Germany, too.
‘Schnecken’ (which translates into ‘snails’) is the German version of sticky buns. They are crispy on the outside and sweet and gooey on the inside. ‘Schnecken’ are typically made with raisins, cinnamon, or chocolate. But for this recipe, we’ll make things as easy as possible. And combine the best of these two recipes. And this means we’ll need 5 ingredients.
Ingredient Notes
CREAM CHEESE – I used Philadelphia-style cream cheese.
FLOUR – All-purpose flour works great.
BUTTER – As for most baking recipes, I recommend using unsalted butter.
APRICOT PRESERVE –. I used Trader Joe’s Apricot Preserve, but Bonne Maman works very well, too.
DRIED TART CHERRIES. I used Trader Joe’s Dried Pitted Tart Montmorency for this recipe but linked another good alternative.
How To Make Strudel Cookies
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Mix the cream cheese, flour, and butter in a mixer. Knead with a dough hook on low speed. Chill the dough so it’s easier to roll.
- Roll the dough flat, then top with apricot preserve and cherries.
- Roll it up, cut it into pieces, and bake until they’re golden and smelling amazing!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- As I’ve said, one of the things I like about the strudel cookies is that they are not overly sweet.
- But if you want to add sweetness, you can opt for a slightly sweeter dried cherry.
- You can also substitute raisins for dried cherries.
- Or use a combination of dried cherries and dried apricots. I’ve recently used This delicious dried fruit combination in this incredibly tasty Custard Bread Pudding.
More Easy and Delicious German Desserts
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – To keep the strudel cookies tasting fresh, place them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to 3 days. Be sure to let them cool completely before tucking them away to prevent any sogginess from trapped steam.
FREEZE – For longer storage, wrap the cookies in plastic wrap and place them in a zip-lock bag before freezing. This method can keep them fresh for up to 3 months. When you’re ready for a treat, there’s no need to thaw; they can go straight from the freezer to the oven.
REHEAT – To bring back that just-baked warmth and texture, reheat the cookies in an oven preheated to 350º Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes if at room temperature or 10-15 minutes if they come from the freezer.
More Easy and Delicious Recipes
White Chocolate Chip Cookies – These cookies have a secret ingredient that gives them an extra kick – crystallized ginger.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes – A delicious combination of carrots, walnuts, and a delicious homemade cream cheese frosting
Strawberry Torte – Known as ‘Erdbeertorte’ in Germany.
Cornflake Cookies – These easy cookies are a great fix if your sweet tooth is bothering you.
Cranberry and White Chocolate Blondies – Perfect for a crowd.
Strudel Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup butter unsalted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup apricot preserve
- 1 cup dried cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° Fahrenheit. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Use the bowl of a stand mixer* (see recipe notes) and combine cream cheese, flour, and butter.
- Use the stand mixer's dough hook and begin to knead the ingredients at low speed (2-3) for about 3 minutes. Remove the dough from the stand mixer and shape into a rectangle.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the freezer and cut in half. Sprinkle your working surface with flour and use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a 12×8 rectangle.
- Use half of the apricot preserve and spread it in a thin layer over the dough. Sprinkle with half of the dried cherries.
- Begin at one of the long edges and slowly roll the dough. Pinch the ends of the dough to create a seal. Cut the roll into 1/2 inch slices.
- Jelly side up, move the slices on the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer the strudel cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool down. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.
These look so good! I love German desserts, can’t wait to try them.
Yay! Let us know how they turn out for.