Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel is one of our favorite desserts to make, and it’s perfect for satisfying that sweet tooth. This delicious strudel combines the tartness of sour cherries with a flaky pastry that makes for a delightful treat.
We discovered this classic recipe during our travels in Croatia, where we took a cooking class that highlighted the country’s love for fresh, seasonal ingredients.
As we traveled around the world, we learned how to create many dishes, but this strudel really stuck with us. Each bite captures the essence of summer, making it not just a dessert, but a joyful experience.
In this post, we’ll share our favorite tips for preparing Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel, along with our personal touches that bring the traditional recipe to life.
About Us
We are John and Laurel Rodgers, a couple passionate about traveling the world. Our journey takes us to various countries, where we gather unique recipes.
We love visiting local restaurants and taking cooking classes to learn authentic dishes. Each recipe we collect reflects the culture and traditions of the places we explore.
As Americans, we believe in sharing our culinary adventures. Our goal is to inspire others to cook and enjoy diverse flavors from around the globe.
We invite you to follow along as we discover new tastes and techniques. You can find more about us and our adventures at our blog. We cherish every moment spent in the kitchen and enjoy creating delicious meals.
Thanks for being a part of our journey!
Why You’ll Love This Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe
We truly enjoy making Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel for many reasons.
First, the tartness of sour cherries adds a unique flavor. These dark red cherries create a delicious contrast against the buttery, flaky crust.
The recipe is also simple and uses common ingredients. We often keep frozen filo pastry and tinned cherries on hand, making this dessert easy to whip up any time.
Making strudel is a fun activity. We love rolling the dough and filling it with cherries and walnuts.
Here are some highlights of this recipe:
- Delicious Flavor: Tart cherries combined with rich pastry.
- Versatile: Enjoy it warm or cold, with a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for gatherings, holidays, or just a cozy night in.
We find that serving this strudel brings people together. Everyone loves diving into the flaky layers and sweet filling.
What Makes This Recipe Special
Croatian sour cherry strudel, or Štrudlu s Višnjama, is a delightful dessert that stands out for several reasons.
First, it combines tart sour cherries with a crispy, flaky pastry. This contrast creates a delicious balance of flavors. The use of Morello or Montmorency cherries adds a unique tang that is hard to resist.
We love that this recipe is versatile. You can adjust the filling by adding walnuts or even replacing some ingredients with what you have on hand. This flexibility makes it a great option for any occasion.
Another special aspect of this strudel is its connection to Croatian culture. Traditional strudels have a long history in the region. This dessert is often made for family gatherings and celebrations, making it a true comfort food for many.
Preparing this dessert provides a lovely experience as well. Working with filo pastry can be a fun way to bond with friends or family in the kitchen. Watching the golden layers form as it bakes is rewarding.
Finally, the use of pantry ingredients means we can whip this up whenever a craving strikes. With just a few basic items, we can create something that feels special and homemade. This strudel is not just a recipe; it’s a taste of Croatia that brings us together.
Cooking Equipment Needed
When making Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel, having the right equipment makes the process easier and more enjoyable. Here’s what we recommend:
- Baking Sheet: A large, flat baking sheet will hold the strudel in the oven.
- Parchment Paper: Lining the baking sheet with parchment helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Rolling Pin: We need this for stretching the dough thin. This key step helps achieve that perfect flaky texture.
- Mixing Bowls: We’ll use these for preparing the cherry filling and dough ingredients. At least two bowls should suffice.
- Kitchen Shears: Handy for trimming the edges of the strudel dough as we prepare it.
- Brush: A pastry brush is great for applying olive oil or melted butter on the strudel before baking.
- Oven: Baking the strudel requires an oven set to the right temperature for achieving a golden brown finish.
- Cooling Rack: After baking, a cooling rack helps to cool the strudel evenly, preventing sogginess.
This equipment makes our cooking experience smoother and more successful. Enjoy gathering these tools; they will be essential for making a delicious strudel!
Cooking Instructions
To make Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel, we start by preparing the dough. First, combine flour, water, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Knead the mixture until it is smooth and elastic.
Next, let the dough rest for about 30 minutes. This step is important for stretching later.
While the dough rests, we can prepare the filling.
We use sour cherries, pitted, and mix them with sugar in a bowl. If we like, we can also add crushed cookies or bread crumbs for extra texture.
After the dough has rested, we roll it out on a floured surface until it’s thin. The goal is to stretch it without tearing.
Once stretched, we place the cherry filling in the center. Carefully, we fold the edges over the filling and roll the dough up, like a log. Make sure to seal the edges well.
Now, we preheat the oven to 375°F. We place the strudel on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until it is golden brown and crisp.
After removing it from the oven, we let it cool slightly. Finally, we dust the top with powdered sugar for a sweet finish. Enjoy with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream if you like!
Cooking Tips
When making Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel, we find a few tips can really enhance the process.
Choosing Cherries
Using fresh sour cherries is ideal, but if they aren’t available, frozen or canned sour cherries work too. Drain any excess juice from canned cherries to prevent a soggy strudel.
Dough Consistency
The dough should be smooth and elastic. Knead it well for about 10 minutes. Let it rest for at least an hour. This step makes it easier to roll out.
Rolling the Dough
When rolling out the dough, use plenty of flour. Make it as thin as possible without tearing. A well-floured surface helps maintain the dough’s integrity.
Filling Tips
Mix the sour cherries with sugar and a bit of bread crumbs to absorb some juice. This prevents the filling from becoming too wet.
Baking
Bake the strudel at 400°F for the first 10 minutes. Then, lower the heat to 375°F and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes. This helps create a crispy texture.
Serving
We love to dust the strudel with powdered sugar before serving. It adds a nice touch and sweetness that pairs well with the sour cherries.
Ingredients Needed for the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe
For the Strudel Dough:
Lukewarm Water
Vinegar
Salt
All-purpose flour
Cold Unsalted Butter
For the Cherry Strudel Filling:
Sour cherries
Grated Lemon Zest
Sugar
Melted butter
Ground Walnuts
Confectioners’ sugar
Instructions For Preparing the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe
Make the Strudel Dough
In a small bowl, mix lukewarm water, vinegar, and salt. In a large bowl, cut cold butter into all-purpose flour as for pie dough. Add the water mixture and stir by hand for about 5 minutes until smooth. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for another 5 minutes, using minimal extra flour. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
Make the Sour Cherry Filling
In a large bowl, combine sour cherries with lemon zest (if using) and sugar. Set aside.
Stretch the Dough
Cover a large table with a clean, generously floured cotton tablecloth. Place the dough in the center and brush with melted butter. Roll it out to 1/8-inch thickness, then stretch it over the backs of your hands or with palms up, pulling gently until nearly paper-thin and draping over the table edges. Trim thick outer edges with kitchen shears.
Fill and Bake the Strudel
Preheat oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle. Brush the stretched dough generously with melted butter. Spread the cherry filling in a 3-inch-wide strip along one long edge, 2 inches from the sides, then sprinkle with ground walnuts. Use the tablecloth to roll the dough jellyroll-style away from you until fully rolled. Brush the top with melted butter, cut into sections to fit baking sheets, and tuck in the ends.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper and place the strudel seam-side down. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 375°F and bake for 20-25 minutes until crisp and golden. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, and cut diagonally into slices. Dust with confectioners’ sugar. For easier slicing, cool completely, then rewarm in the microwave before serving with whipped cream or ice cream.
FAQs For the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe
Question: What type of cherries should I use for the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe?
A: The Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe traditionally uses sour cherries for their tart flavor, which balances the sweetness of the filling. If fresh sour cherries are unavailable, frozen or jarred sour cherries can be used, but drain them well before mixing with sugar.
Question: Can I make the dough ahead of time for the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe?
A: Yes, the dough for the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 24 hours. Allow it to come to room temperature before stretching to ensure flexibility.
Question: How do I prevent the filling from leaking in the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe?
A: To prevent leaks in the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe, make sure to drain excess liquid from the cherry mixture before spreading it on the dough. Additionally, rolling the dough tightly and sealing the edges well will help contain the filling.
Question: Can I use store-bought phyllo dough for the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe?
A: While homemade dough is preferred for an authentic Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe, store-bought phyllo dough can be used as a shortcut. Brush each layer with butter before adding the cherry filling to achieve a flaky texture.
Question: How should I store leftovers from the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe?
A: Leftovers of the Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerated for up to five days. Reheat in the oven for a crisp texture.
Croatian Sour Cherry Strudel Recipe
Ingredients
For the Strudel Dough:
- 1/2 cup water lukewarm
- 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for surface
- 1 tablespoon butter cold unsalted
For the Cherry Strudel Filling:
- 8 cups cherries sour stemmed and pitted
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest grated optional
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups sugar or to taste
- butter Melted
- 3/4 cup walnuts ground
- Confectioners' sugar for garnish
Instructions
Make the Strudel Dough
- In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon vinegar, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, cut 1 tablespoon cold butter into 2 cups all-purpose flour as for pie dough. Add the water mixture and stir by hand for about 5 minutes until smooth. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for another 5 minutes, using minimal extra flour. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
Make the Sour Cherry Filling
- In a large bowl, combine 8 cups washed, stemmed, and pitted sour cherries with 2 teaspoons lemon zest (if using) and 1 1/2 to 2 cups sugar. Set aside.
Stretch the Dough
- Cover a large table with a clean, generously floured cotton tablecloth. Place the dough in the center and brush with melted butter. Roll it out to 1/8-inch thickness, then stretch it over the backs of your hands or with palms up, pulling gently until nearly paper-thin and draping over the table edges. Trim thick outer edges with kitchen shears.
Fill and Bake the Strudel
- Preheat oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle. Brush the stretched dough generously with melted butter. Spread the cherry filling in a 3-inch-wide strip along one long edge, 2 inches from the sides, then sprinkle with ground walnuts. Use the tablecloth to roll the dough jellyroll-style away from you until fully rolled. Brush the top with melted butter, cut into sections to fit baking sheets, and tuck in the ends.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper and place the strudel seam-side down. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 375°F and bake for 20-25 minutes until crisp and golden. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, and cut diagonally into slices. Dust with confectioners' sugar. For easier slicing, cool completely, then rewarm in the microwave before serving with whipped cream or ice cream.
3 comments
The tart cherries wrapped in crisp, golden pastry made for an irresistible dessert. The balance of sweetness and acidity was perfect, and my guests couldn’t get enough.
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