Homemade Apple Brown Sugar Cinnamon Toaster Strudels

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it brings the magic of childhood toaster pastries into my kitchen with better ingredients and even better taste. The homemade apple filling is cozy and warmly spiced, while the brown sugar cinnamon layer adds a gooey richness. Topped with a maple-butter glaze, they’re the kind of treat I reach for at breakfast—or honestly, anytime I want something indulgent and sweet.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Puff Pastry (or use 2 sheets store-bought):

• 1⅔ cups flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup cold butter, grated

• ½ cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)

• ¼ cup water

• 2 tablespoons buttermilk (or milk + splash of vinegar/lemon juice)

• 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)

• Turbinado sugar, for topping

Apple Filling:

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 apples, diced

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon apple pie spice

• Pinch of salt

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (slurry)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling:

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon flour

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

Maple Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• ¼ cup browned butter

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

Directions

Make the Apple Filling

1. I cook diced apples with butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and a pinch of salt in a skillet over medium heat until the apples are soft and fragrant.

2. I stir in a cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. I let it cool completely before assembling.

Make the Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling

3. I mix the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, melted butter, vanilla, and a pinch of salt in a bowl until it forms a thick paste.

Prepare the Pastry

4. If I’m making puff pastry from scratch, I mix flour and salt, then cut in the grated cold butter. I stir in Greek yogurt, water, and buttermilk to form a dough. I wrap it and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling.

5. I roll the dough (or use store-bought) into a 20×9 inch rectangle and cut it into 16 equal pieces (about 5×4.5 inches each).

Assemble the Strudels

6. I spoon about a teaspoon of brown sugar cinnamon filling and a tablespoon of apple filling onto 8 of the rectangles. I top each with another piece of pastry and press the edges with a fork to seal.

7. I place them on a lined baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.

Bake

8. I bake the strudels at 400°F for 17–20 minutes, or until golden and puffed. I let them cool slightly on a rack.

Make the Glaze

9. I whisk together powdered sugar, browned butter, maple syrup, milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth. While the strudels are still warm, I drizzle the glaze over the top.

Servings And Timing

Yield: 8 strudels
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 5 minutes

These are best served warm, but I enjoy them at room temperature or reheated in a toaster oven.

Variations

• Shortcut Version: I use frozen puff pastry to skip the dough prep entirely.

• Berry Option: I swap apples for blueberries or raspberries and adjust the sugar.

• Caramel Apple: I drizzle caramel sauce over the filling before sealing for an extra-rich treat.

• Nutty Twist: I add finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.

• Spice Blend: I use chai spice or pumpkin pie spice instead of apple pie spice for seasonal flair.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftover strudels in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I toast them in the oven at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes, or in the toaster oven for a quick warm-up. I avoid microwaving, as it softens the pastry.

FAQs

Can I Make These Ahead Of Time?

Yes, I often assemble the strudels and freeze them unbaked. When ready to bake, I brush with egg wash and bake straight from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes to the baking time.

What Kind Of Apples Work Best?

I use firm, slightly tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith—they hold up well and balance the sweetness.

Can I Use Pre-Made Pie Dough Instead?

Yes, but it won’t puff as much. It still works for a flakier, hand-pie-style version.

How Do I Brown Butter For The Glaze?

I melt butter over medium heat, stirring constantly until it foams and develops golden brown bits at the bottom. It smells nutty and adds amazing depth to the glaze.

Is The Glaze Necessary?

No, but I highly recommend it. I’ve skipped it before and they’re still great, but the glaze takes them over the top.

Conclusion

These Homemade Apple Brown Sugar Cinnamon Toaster Strudels are a sweet, spiced throwback to a beloved breakfast treat—with all the buttery, flaky goodness I crave. Whether I go all out with homemade puff pastry or keep it simple with store-bought, the combination of warm apples, cinnamon sugar, and maple glaze makes every bite unforgettable.

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