APPLE STRUDEL

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1

Pre-heat oven to 375.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, toss apples, Swerve Granular, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, and 1/8 tsp of salt, raisins, and panko. Cover and microwave for two minutes until apples are warm to touch. Remove from microwave and cover with a towel or lid and set aside.

Step 3

Place one sheet of parchment paper on counter with long side parallel to the edge of the counter.

Step 4

Place one thawed phyllo sheet on parchment paper with long side parallel to edge of counter.

Step 5

Place two TBS of Swerve, confectioners in fine mesh strainer and set aside on bowl.

Step 6

Lightly brush phyllo sheet with melted butter, and dust sparingly with Swerve confectioners.

Step 7

Repeat this process with 6 more phyllo sheets, stacking sheets one on top of another, basting and lightly sprinkling each with Swerve, confectioners.

Step 8

Set a colander/strainer in a bowl, transfer covered apples to colander. The bowl will catch all the apple juices (keep those because you will baste the strudel with it at the end).

Step 9

Arrange half of apple mixture in a 2 1/2 by 10 inch line. Beginning two inches from the edge of the phyllo sheets nearest to the countertop, and leaving two inches on each side free to fold the phyllo sheets.

Step 10

Fold sides of phyllo over filling, and brush folded sides with some of the apple juices. Next, fold the bottom of the phyllo sheets over the apple filling, to where it overlaps and sticks to the side folds. Brush more apple juices onto the bottom fold, and fold over the top of the phyllo sheets, make sure there is a seam on the side. Brush apple juices on the seam to ensure phyllo is together tightly.

Step 11

Place strudel on buttered cookie sheet or lipped pan.

Step 12

Set aside and follow same steps to create a second strudel.

Step 13

Brush strudels with leftover melted butter.

Step 14

Place in oven on the upper middle rack and bake for 27 – 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 15

With a thin spatula transfer strudel to cutting board, or you can let rest on your cookie sheet. Wait three minutes and then slice strudel with a sharp knife into 16 pieces (filling will try to come out so gently push it back in as you apply pressure when cutting).

Step 16

Let cool for 20 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.

Step 17

Note: If you want the strudel crust to be shiny, with five minutes left to bake, take strudel out of the oven, and baste a mixed egg on to each, and cook for the remaining 5 minutes.

Makes about 16 servings.