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Home » Recipes

Nordic Apple Strips

Published: Oct 7, 2019 · Modified: Jan 13, 2021 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Nordic apple strips piled on a plate with a cup of coffee
Nordic Apple Strips

I love it when I can use one dough in multiple ways. It's like having a little black dress in your closet that pairs with heels and a necklace one day, tall boots and your favorite scarf the next. The dough I use for my Swedish Cinnamon Buns offers just that kind of versatility. These Nordic Apple Strips are made with the very same dough (sans the cardamom) and filling but in the form of a long strip filled with thin slices of fresh apple. You've got to love something that offers such delicious flexibility!

Nordic apple strips on a cooling rack

If you have never made my Swedish Cinnamon Buns before, know that there is a teeny-tiny extra step at the beginning of the process that makes a HUGE difference in creating the soft and tender texture of the final product. It is a technique borrowed from the process of baking Japanese milk bread. Basically, a small amount of flour and liquid (water, milk or a combination of the two) is cooked on the stove for a very short period of time creating a roux-like mixture. This process gelatinizes the starches in the flour allowing them to absorb more liquid and results in a higher rise and a more tender and moist final product that stays that way for a longer period of time. Science aside, it takes five minutes and yields amazing results. WELL worth the effort.

These Nordic Apple Strips are a really easy and delightful fall fika treat, basically a long buttery cinnamon bun with tender apple slices tucked inside. All you need is a crisp fall day, a cup of coffee and someone to share them with.

Nordic apple strips on a cooling rack

When you are ready for a little change from the afternoon cinnamon bun, give these Nordic Apple Strips a try! I know you won't be disappointed.

Nordic apple strips piled on a plate with a cup of coffee

Nordic Apple Strips

Delicious and easy, these apple strips will please the crowd!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Fika
Cuisine: Danish, Nordic Scandinavian, Swedish
Keyword: apple bread recipe, apple slices, apple strips recipe
Prep Time: 6 hours hours 50 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 servings ( two apple strips)
Calories: 276kcal
Author: Kristi

Ingredients

For the Tangzhong:

  • 5 tablespoons water
  • 5 tablespoons whole milk
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For the dough:

  • 5 tablespoons melted unsalted butter cooled
  • ½ cup whole milk slightly warm
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg
  • All of the Tangzhong cooled

For the Filling:

  • 5 tablespoons soft unsalted butter
  • Pinch of fine salt
  • 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 apples peeled, cored and sliced thin
  • 2 teaspoons all purpose flour

For the Egg Wash and Topping:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Pearl sugar and sliced almonds for sprinkling

Instructions

  • Make the Tangzhong:  Combine water, milk and flour in a medium saucepan.  Whisk until combined and no lumps remain. Place saucepan over medium heat and cook mixture, whisking constantly, until it thickens, about 1-2 minutes.  Set aside to cool.
  • Make the dough:  While the Tangzhong is cooling, begin preparing the rest of the ingredients for the dough.  Combine yeast, salt, sugar and flour in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk briefly by hand to combine.  
  • Attach the dough hook to the mixer.  Add melted and cooled butter, slightly warm milk, egg and the cooled Tangzhong (it can be slightly warm to the touch) to the dry ingredients.  Mix on medium low until fully combined.
  • Increase mixer speed to medium and knead mixture for 3-4 minutes or until dough is slightly tacky but not sticky and clears the side of the bowl.  It’s okay if it’s sticking to the bottom of the bowl slightly. If it seems too sticky, add another tablespoon of flour and mix for another 1-2 minutes.  You can also mix and knead the dough by hand but it will take longer, more like 8-10 minutes.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise for an hour or until 1 ½ or 2 times its original size.  The time will largely depend on the temperature of your kitchen.
  • In the meantime, make the filling.  Combine butter, salt, brown sugar and cinnamon in a medium bowl.  Using a fork, mix ingredients together until a smooth, spreadable paste forms.  In a small bowl, toss apples with flour. Set aside.
  • Once the dough has risen, preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it onto a clean countertop.  Divide into two pieces. Cover one piece of dough with plastic wrap. Roll other piece out with a rolling pin until it is in the shape of a rectangle that is about 8 x 15 inches in size.  The dough should be smooth enough that you do not need to add flour during the rolling process. If yours is sticking the rolling pin, however, sprinkle a little flour over the dough as necessary to prevent this from happening.  
  • Using an off-set spatula, spread half of the filling in a thin layer over the center third of the dough.  Shingle a thin layer of apples on top of the filling (see photo).  
  • Cover the filling by bringing each side of the dough to the center, overlapping slightly.  You may need a metal dough scraper to help coax your dough from the counter top if it is sticking.  Seal at the seams and the ends. Carefully transfer the strip to a prepared baking sheet (again, a metal dough scaper may be helpful here).  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for an additional 30-45 minutes. Repeat process with remaining dough.
  • Meanwhile, make the egg wash.  Whisk egg and water together in a small bowl.  Once the first strip is ready to go into the oven, remove plastic wrap and brush the surface of with the egg wash  Sprinkle pearl sugar and almonds over the top.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.  Repeat process with remaining strip. If the seam down the middle gives way and the strip open up while they are baking, not to worry.  As they are cooling, gently coax them back together again.  Cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

These strips slice best with a sharp serrated knife (bread knife).

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 257mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 373IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

More Nordic/Scandinavian Recipes

  • Overhead view of Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom next to pears and cardamom pods.
    Spiced Pear Cake with Cardamom
  • Close up of Danish Pancakes (æbleskiver) next to raspberry jam.
    Æbleskiver (Danish Pancakes)
  • Close up of Tomte Muffin cut in half.
    Tomte Muffins (Swedish Apple Muffins)
  • Featured image for Kale and Butternut Squash Salad.
    Kale and Butternut Squash Salad

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Freddie

    January 29, 2023 at 7:35 am

    So yummy! Is there a stage at which this can rest in the fridge overnight to enjoy for a morning Fika?

    Reply
    • Kristi

      February 03, 2023 at 8:53 am

      Hi Freddie,
      I haven't tried it but I suspect that if you cover the unbaked strip with plastic wrap and pop in the fridge right after it is shaped, you can take it out in the morning, let it warm up for about an hour or so and then bake. Let me know if you give it a try!
      Kristi

      Reply

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