Austrian Dessert
Topfenstrudel
Flaky strudel filled with sweetened curd cheese, lemon and raisins.
30 minsPrep time
40 minsCook time
Serves 4Servings
MediumDifficulty
Nutrition
Estimated nutrition per serving
These figures are estimates per serving. Actual nutrition can vary with the brands and exact amounts you use, how much oil, dressing or sauce is absorbed, any substitutions or added extras, and the portion size served.A practical guide for comparing recipes and planning meals.
410Calories
7gProtein
58gCarbs
18gFat
Ingredients
What you need
- 100 strudel pastry, Measured for a four-serving recipe., prepared as described
- 200 quark, Measured for a four-serving recipe., weighed accurately
- 4 eggs, Measured for a four-serving recipe., at room temperature
- 120 sugar, Measured for a four-serving recipe.
- 2 lemon, Measured for a four-serving recipe., zested, then juiced
- 100 Raisins, Measured for a four-serving recipe., prepared as described
Method
Step-by-step method
Follow the recipe in order, tasting and adjusting seasoning where needed.
- 1. Set up and weigh everything: Read the full method before heating anything. Weigh every ingredient for Topfenstrudel. Put raw meat or seafood on a separate board. Peel onions and cut them into uniform 5 mm dice; mince garlic to roughly 2 mm; cut firm vegetables into equal 2 cm pieces so they cook at the same rate. Pat meat, fish or wet vegetables dry with kitchen paper before seasoning.
- 2. Prepare the tin and preheat: Set the oven to 180°C conventional / 160°C fan / gas 4 unless the dish is chilled or fried. Grease the tin or baking dish lightly, line the base where appropriate, and allow dairy and eggs to lose their refrigerator chill for 20 minutes. For fried desserts, instead heat 4 cm of neutral oil gradually to 175°C.
- 3. Build the mixture: Combine the dry ingredients for Topfenstrudel in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Whisk eggs and sugar for 2–3 minutes where used, until slightly thickened. Fold, rather than beat, once flour is added; stop as soon as no dry streaks remain. Cut fruit into even 1.5–2 cm pieces and coat it lightly in flour if it needs to stay suspended.
- 4. Cook with controlled heat: Transfer the mixture to the prepared vessel, level the surface and cook Topfenstrudel on the centre shelf. Bake for 25–40 minutes depending on depth, rotating once after two-thirds of the time only if the oven browns unevenly. For a pan-fried dessert, cook in small batches for 2–3 minutes per side at 175°C.
- 5. Cool, portion and finish: Rest Topfenstrudel in its tin for 10 minutes, then move it to a rack unless it is meant to remain in its dish. Cool custard or cream-based elements rapidly, cover and refrigerate below 5°C. Add icing sugar, syrup, cream or fruit only after the correct cooling stage so it does not melt or soak in.
Cook smarter
Tips, storage and serving advice
Shopping tips
Ingredient quality
Common mistakes
Chef’s tips
How to know it is cooked
Plating advice
Make ahead
Storage and reheating
Wine pairing
What to drink with Topfenstrudel
These are wine-style pairings, so you can choose any bottle in that style rather than needing one exact producer. Look for the grape, region or style name on the label.Pairings are chosen around the dish’s flavour, texture, richness, acidity and cooking style, not just the country it comes from.
#1
Excellent match
Dessert
Sweet Muscat
Why it works:
- Flavour bridge: honeyed, floral or dried-fruit notes complement baked and creamy flavours
- Acidity: Acidity provides lift through sweetness and richness
- Body: Body is proportionate to the dessert's weight
- Tannin: Minimal tannin keeps the finish soft
- Sweetness: The wine is at least as sweet as the dish
- Best for: Dinner, entertaining or recipe pairing
#2
Great match
Dessert
Sauternes / Botrytised Sweet Wine
Why it works:
- Flavour bridge: honeyed, floral or dried-fruit notes complement baked and creamy flavours
- Acidity: Acidity provides lift through sweetness and richness
- Body: Body is proportionate to the dessert's weight
- Tannin: Minimal tannin keeps the finish soft
- Sweetness: The wine is at least as sweet as the dish
- Best for: Dinner, entertaining or recipe pairing
#3
Interesting match
Fortified
Madeira
Why it works:
- Flavour bridge: honeyed, floral or dried-fruit notes complement baked and creamy flavours
- Acidity: Acidity provides lift through sweetness and richness
- Body: Body is proportionate to the dessert's weight
- Tannin: Minimal tannin keeps the finish soft
- Sweetness: The wine is at least as sweet as the dish
- Best for: Dinner, entertaining or recipe pairing
Bottle suggestions
Specific wines to try
These are named bottles or regional wine examples already linked to this recipe. Each card opens the relevant wine-style guide because individual bottle pages are not currently published.Australian Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Australian Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is credible here because it represents the matched Sauvignon Blanc style. Sauvignon Blan…
Explore this wine styleAustralian Sparkling Brut
Australian Sparkling Brut is credible here because it represents the matched Champagne / Traditional Method Brut style. High…
Explore this wine styleCook next
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