Topfenstrudel (Quark Strudel)
A classic Austrian dessert featuring a creamy, tangy filling of quark cheese brightened with lemon, all wrapped in layers of crispy phyllo pastry. This strudel is a lighter, yet equally satisfying, alternative to the more common apple-filled version.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 1 hr 15 min
- Serves
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Per serving
- 471 kcal
Allergen information: may contain eggs, gluten, milk, and sulphites. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
filling
- 500 gquark, full-fat, well-drained
- 80 ggranulated sugar
- 2 pcsegg yolk, from large eggs
- 2 pcsegg white, from large eggs
- 1 pcslemon, zest and juice of
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- 50 graisin
- 2 tbsprum, dark or spiced(optional)
- 1 tbspunsalted butter
- 30 gbreadcrumb, plain, fine
- 1 pinchsalt
pastry
- 250 gphyllo dough, thawed according to package directions
- 80 gunsalted butter, melted
garnish
- 1 tbsppowdered sugar, for dusting(optional)
Equipment
pastry brush · saucepan · spatula · baking sheet · mixing bowl · parchment paper · electric mixer · knife
The method
Step by step
- 1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
About 2 min
- 2
If using, place the raisins in a small bowl and pour the rum over them to soak.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Soaking the raisins makes them plump and flavorful. You can use warm water if you prefer to omit the rum.
- 3
Melt the butter for the filling in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add the breadcrumbs and toast, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool completely.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Toasted breadcrumbs absorb excess moisture from the filling, preventing the pastry from becoming soggy.
- 4
In a large bowl, combine the quark, granulated sugar, egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
About 3 min
- 5
Stir the drained raisins and cooled, toasted breadcrumbs into the quark mixture.
About 1 min
- 6
In a separate, clean bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: Make sure the bowl and beaters are completely free of fat or grease, which can prevent the egg whites from whipping properly.
- 7
Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the quark mixture in two or three additions until just combined. Be careful not to overmix and deflate the whites.
About 2 min
- 8
Unroll the phyllo dough on a clean, dry work surface. Cover the stack with a slightly damp kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out as you work.
About 1 min
- 9
Place one sheet of phyllo on the prepared baking sheet and lightly brush it all over with some of the melted pastry butter. Lay another sheet on top and repeat the brushing process until all sheets are stacked.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Work quickly but gently as phyllo is very delicate and can tear easily.
- 10
Spread the quark filling evenly over the top phyllo sheet, leaving a 5cm (2-inch) border on the long sides and a wider 8cm (3-inch) border on the short sides.
About 2 min
- 11
Fold the short ends of the pastry over the filling. Then, starting from one of the long sides, carefully roll the strudel up into a log.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: If you assembled the phyllo stack on a kitchen towel, you can use the towel to help lift and roll the strudel tightly.
- 12
Ensure the strudel is seam-side down on the baking sheet. Brush the top and sides generously with the remaining melted butter.
About 1 min
- 13
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry is deep golden brown and crisp.
About 35 min
- 14
Let the strudel cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack. Slicing it while too hot will cause the filling to run out.
About 10 min
- 15
Dust with powdered sugar just before serving, if desired.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 471.1kcal
- Protein
- 15.5g
- Carbs
- 54.2g
- Fat
- 21.5g
- Fibre
- 2g
- Sugar
- 22.2g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat slices in an oven at 150°C (300°F) for 5-10 minutes to help re-crisp the pastry.