Strudel Cookies are small, delicious pastries that look just like they came out of an old-fashioned bakery.
And you'll need 5 simple ingredients to make these amazing strudel cookies.
What are 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 actually 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.
Ingredients
- CREAM CHEESE. Use Philadelphia-style cream cheese.
- ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
- 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. For this recipe, I used Trader Joe's Dried Pitted Tart Montmorency but linked another good alternative. If you're looking for a no-sugar-added variety, use this brand.
How To Make Strudel Cookies
- Combine cream cheese, flour, and butter in a mixer; knead into a sticky dough.
- Form dough into a rectangle, and freeze for 15 minutes.
- Roll the chilled dough into a 12x8 rectangle.
- Top with apricot preserve and cherries, then roll up and seal.
- Cut into 12 slices and arrange on a baking sheet.
- Repeat steps 3-5 with the second half of the dough.
- Bake at 375ºF for 22-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool the baked cookies on a rack.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
As I've said, one of the things I really like about the strudel cookies is that they are not overly sweet.
But if you would like to add some more sweetness back in, 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. This is a delicious dried fruit combination I've recently used in this incredibly tasty custard bread pudding recipe.
More Easy Dessert Ideas
White Chocolate Chip Cookies - These cookies have a secret ingredient that gives them an extra kick - crystallized ginger.
White Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries
Strawberry Torte - Known as 'Erdbeertorte' in Germany.
Lemon Date Balls - This is one of my favorite no-bake desserts.
White Chocolate & Cranberry 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 12x8 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 ½ 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
Nutrition
Hi There, I’m Maike!
A German girl turned American sharing hundreds of easy, homemade comfort food recipes perfect for everyday cooking.
Hannah
These look so good! I love German desserts, can’t wait to try them.
Maike
Yay! Let us know how they turn out for.