Apple Strudel Bread

Apples are coming back in season (or maybe they are just on sale where I live). The other day, Hubby bought a few Granny Smiths. I knew immediately that I wanted to make or bake SOMETHING with these apples. There wasn't enough for a pie, so that was out of the question for now. I began my search for recipes online. I think I must have found what I was looking for from my Better Homes and Gardens email list. I was looking at a bunch of their Fall recipes when I found one for Apple Strudel Bread. I followed the recipe exactly, except for a few minor changes.
First, I used all purpose flour instead of bread flour because it's what I have. It worked just fine.
Next, I used only 2 apples. I don't think it added up to the 3 cups the recipe asked for, but it worked well because..
Lastly, I only rolled out the dough to 17x14 inches because that's how big my largest cutting board is.
This bread is so delicious! A whole (huge) loaf has lasted me and the hubby several days, and I can safely say that I am not tired of it yet. Usuallu having something that many days straight will get me tired of it. Not this. I am not a big raisin fan, but I added them in anyways, and let me tell you that all of the lovely filling components go so well together with the lovely sweet yeast bread.
Oh, and that yeast bread. It's made in the bread machine! How much easier could that be?? You can certainly make it by hand, no doubt about that. But I love all of the free time this gave me.

Apple Strudel Bread
(recipe slightly adapted from bhg.com)

3/4 c. milk
1/3 c. butter, cut up
1 egg
3 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1/3 c. granulated sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. active dry yeast
3 tbl. butter, softened
2 med-large apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. raisins
4 tsp. all purpose flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
optional glaze (I didn't think it was necessary): 3/4 c. powdered sugar + 1/4 tsp. vanilla + milk

Add the first seven ingredients to your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle. When the cycle is over, punch down the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Line a large cookie sheet or baking dish with foil. (I didn't line my cookie sheet with foil, and ended up with that delicious brown sugar goo all over the bottom of my oven.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a rectangle (17x14 worked for me, but 24x12 would give you a bigger loaf). Brush with the softened butter.
To make the filling, mix together the apples, brown sugar, raisins, flour and cinnamon. Spoon the filling on the middle third of the dough, lengthwise. Another option is to shingle the apple slices all the way across and drizzle the sauce and raisins over that. Make sure to leave about 2 inches on either side so it can be sealed up.
Roll the whole thing up like you are making cinnamon rolls. I ended up just folding the top third over the apples, then the bottom third of the dough over that. Pinch all of the ends and place on your baking sheet/pan. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Mix together the glaze ingredients if desired. The amount of milk is up to you and how thin or thick you want the glaze to be. Drizzle over the bread once cooled.
Slice up and enjoy!!


I have linked up with:

• Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple
• Friday Favorites at Simply Sweet Home
• Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
• I'm Lovin It Friday at Tidy Mom
• Tuesday Night Supper Club at Fudge Ripple
• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed with Grace
• Hearth & Soul Hop vol. 17 at Frugality and Crunchiness with Christy
• Tuesdays at the Table at All the Small Stuff