Puff Pastry Apple Strudel Braid

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For a quick and easy, yet elegant, brunch or dessert treat, make this puff pastry apple strudel braid! You only need a few ingredients to prepare this stunning treat!

Braided breads – sweet and savory – are one of the most beautiful dishes one can bake. I honestly think they get even more attention than a savory stuffed bundt cake. There’s just something so inviting about the appearance that draws everyone over to grab a slice.

Now, there are a few ways to make a pretty braid. One way is to use the bread recipe over at my guava cheese braided bread. This is an actual yeast bread and it’s amazing. When I owned a bakery, that bread was one of my top sellers.

Yeast breads are wonderful and all, but what if you can’t find yeast? Or what if you just want something quick. Well, this puff pastry apple strudel braid is ready in under an hour, start to finish.

Easy Apple Strudel Braid Recipe Notes

Your ingredient list for this recipe is short, requiring very little prep on your part. There’s no need to prepare dough, cook fillings, nothing fussy.

Start with a sheet of store-bought puff pastry. Thaw according to the package instructions. It should still be cold when you work with it, but there shouldn’t be any breaking when you unfold.

The filling is just some chopped apples with sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of flour to absorb juice during baking.

Finally, we finish with an egg wash and some turbinado sugar to make everything pretty. Although, full disclosure, I’ve forgotten the egg wash sometimes and nobody seems to care. So if you don’t happen to have a spare egg, you can skip the wash and just add a sprinkling of coarse sugar.

Don’t have coarse sugar? Wait until the braid has cooled a bit and dust with a little powdered sugar just before serving. It’s not needed, but adding a little something to the top enhances presentation. The eyes eat first, darlings.

Can I prepare this in advance?

Yes! That’s one of the reasons I absolutely love this recipe, especially around holidays or when guests visit! There are 2 ways you can prepare this apple braid in advance.

The first option is freezing. You may assemble the braid up until the point of baking, then place in the freezer. Once frozen, wrap well and store for up to 2 weeks. Bake straight from the freezer, adding an extra 5 minutes to the baking time.

The second option is to assemble the braid the night before you plan to bake. Refrigerate, covered with plastic wrap on your parchment-lined baking sheet. The next morning, preheat your oven, remove your braid from the refrigerator, and bake!

This is a great way to prepare an easy breakfast treat for the holidays. Pair this with something savory like my Low Carb Breakfast Bake – which you can also bake in advance and just reheat in the morning – for a complete meal. Minimal morning kitchen time.

Can I use other fillings? Frozen fruit?

Of course! This is a very easy to customize recipe, so get creative! Add a little cream cheese for an apple cheesecake braid, pop in some fresh cranberries for a little tartness and a “Christmassy” feel, or use whatever other fruit you please!

If you decide to use frozen fruit, I would thaw and drain the excess liquid first. Otherwise, the extra liquid will make the bottom of your braid soggy and extend the cooking time.

I hope you love this easy puff pastry apple strudel braid, darlings!