There’s something nostalgic and heartwarming about waking up to the smell of apples and cinnamon gently bubbling away in the kitchen. For many of us, the mention of toaster strudels brings back memories of sleepy school mornings, sweet icing packets, and quick breakfasts on the go. But let me tell you once you try this homemade Apple Cinnamon Toaster Strudels, you may never reach for the boxed version again.
These flaky, golden pastries are buttery and crisp on the outside, gooey and warmly spiced on the inside, and topped with a sweet glaze that melts into every layer. And the best part? They’re easy enough to whip up on a weekday morning, but impressive enough for a weekend brunch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’ve been following me here at The Urban Homemaker Mama, you already know I’m a big believer in comfort food made simple and this recipe is exactly that. It combines convenience (hello, store bought puff pastry) with the satisfaction of making something from scratch. The result? A bakery worthy breakfast pastry that feels just a little bit magical.
Here’s why this recipe is a keeper:
- Fast but from scratch flavor: No yeast or rising times. Just prep, bake, and enjoy.
- Kid and grown up approved: Sweet enough to be a treat.
- Perfectly cozy: Apples, cinnamon, and vanilla glaze? Say less.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a batch ahead and enjoy warm pastries all week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make the filling:
- 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, and finely diced)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp (1g) apple pie spice
For the brown sugar filling:
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp salted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
- Pinch of salt
The pastry:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
For the glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Apple Filling
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, apple pie spice, salt, and lemon juice. Cook for 5–10 minutes, until the apples are softened and slightly caramelized. Sprinkle in the cornstarch slurry and stir until the mixture thickens. Let it cool completely.
💡 Homemaker Tip: You can prep this filling the night before and store it in the fridge. It makes assembling the strudels in the morning a breeze.
2. Cut and Fill the Pastries
Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 8 equal rectangles. Place a spoonful of the brown sugar mixture and then a spoonful of the cooled apple filling on top, leaving a border. Fold the pastry over to enclose the filling and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
Brush the tops with egg wash to get that golden brown finish when baked.
3. Bake to Perfection
Place your strudels on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 17–20 minutes, or until puffed and deeply golden.
Let them cool slightly before drizzling with glaze.
4. Make the Glaze
Whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until you get a thick but pourable consistency. Use a spoon to drizzle it over your pastries.
A Cozy Treat to Enjoy Year-Round
These homemade strudels are just as delightful on a crisp fall morning as they are during spring brunches or summer sleepovers. Pair them with a hot cup of coffee, chai latte, or even a cold glass of milk for the littles. They’re also wonderful for cozy family movie nights or as a sweet lunchbox surprise.
Customize Your Strudel
This recipe is a great base to play with. Here are a few delicious variations:
- Maple Glazed: Add a splash of maple syrup to the glaze.
- Cream Cheese Filling: Spread a bit of sweetened cream cheese under the apple filling.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts before sealing the pastry.
From My Kitchen to Yours
I truly believe that homemade doesn’t have to mean complicated. Recipes like this one remind us that joy can be found in the little moments like pulling warm pastries from the oven and watching icing slowly melt into flaky layers. As a homemaker and mama, those are the moments I live for.
If you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram @theurbanhomemakermama, I’d love to see your take on it!
Your Baking Essentials, All in One Place
🛒 Want to make this even easier?
Check out my Baking Essentials List on Amazon where I’ve gathered all my favorite kitchen tools, including:
- My go-to rolling pin
- Best parchment paper sheets
- Nonstick baking trays
- Decorative glaze bottles
- My favorite apple peeler
You don’t need a lot to make great food at home, but having the right tools makes the experience that much sweeter.
A quick heads up: This list uses affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to purchase. Thanks for supporting my cozy kitchen content!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re new to homemaking or you’ve been doing this for years, this recipe is a reminder that even a simple breakfast can feel like a celebration. It’s not about perfection, it’s about creating moments that your family will remember.
From my oven to yours,
🩷 Angela aka The Urban Homemaker Mama
Apple Cinnamon Toaster Strudels
Equipment
- 1 Cookie Sheet
- 1 Pizza Cutter
Ingredients
Apple Pie Filling
- 2 tbsp 28g salted butter
- 2 apples of choice diced (I used Granny Smith)
- 1/4 cup 60g light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp 40g maple syrup
- 1 tsp 2g cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp 1g apple pie spice
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tsp 6g cornstarch + 1 tbsp (15ml) water, for slurry
- 1 tsp 4g vanilla bean paste or extract
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling
- 1/2 cup 120g light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp 8g all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp 4g cinnamon
- 2 tbsp 28g salted butter, melted
- 1 tsp 4g vanilla bean paste or extract
- Pinch of salt
Icing
- 1 cup Powdered sugar
- 1/2 tbsp Vanilla
- 2 Tbsp Milk
Instructions
- About an hour before baking, prepare the apple pie filling.
- In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the butter, diced apples, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt.
- Cook until the sugar melts and the apples start to soften, stirring occasionally (10 minutes).
- It can help to steam the apples by covering the pan with a lid for a few minutes.
- Mix together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the apple mixture, stir, and cook until the mixture thickens (1-2 more minutes).
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Set aside to cool completely. I like to transfer the mixture to a separate bowl and place in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
- Prepare the brown sugar cinnamon filling. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, melted butter, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Once ready to bake the toaster strudels, preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with
- parchment paper.
- Whisk together the egg and water in a small bowl for the egg wash.
- Assemble.
- Place dough sheets on a large sheet of parchment paper.
- Cut the puff pastry sheet in 16 squares (8 tops, 8 bottoms).
- Spoon 2 tsp of the brown sugar cinnamon filling in the middle of half(8) of the rectangles, leaving 1/4″
- border along the edges.
- Then, spoon 2-3 tsp of the apple pie filling on top.
- Then, place the other half (8) of the rectangles over the ones with the filling.
- Use your fingers to gently press along the edges.
- Then, use a fork to press and seal the edges.
- Transfer the toaster strudels to the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the tops with the egg wash mixture.
- Bake at 400F 17-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- While cooling, whisk together all of the ingredients for the glaze in a medium bowl.
- Drizzle or spread the glaze over the toaster strudels.
- Enjoy!
