Easy Apple Strudel

Name: Easy Apple Strudel
Yield: Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients: 1/2 cup, golden raisins; 2 tablespoons, Calvados or apple cider; 6 tablespoons, unsalted butter (3/4 stick); 1/4 cup, fresh bread crumbs, plain; 10 ounces (283 grams), Golden Delicious apples (about 2 small), peeled, cored, and cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices; 10 ounces (283 grams), McIntosh apples (about 2 medium), peeled, cored, and cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices; 1/4 cup, granulated sugar, plus 2 tablespoons; 1/3 cup, chopped walnuts, toasted (optional); 1/4 teaspoon, ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon, table salt; 1 teaspoon, lemon juice; 5 sheets, phyllo, defrosted (see note); 1 1/2 teaspoons, confectioners' sugar

Desserts or Baked Goods
Fruit
Fruit Desserts

Appears in Cook's Illustrated September/October 2003, America's Test Kitchen TV

Classic apple strudel is an all-day affair. Could we get full apple flavor and a crisp, flaky crust in less than an hour?

SERVES 6 to 8

TIME 55 minutes, plus 40 minutes cooling

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