Festive South African Raisin, Apple and Pomegranate Strudel

This easy-to-make strudel is made with bought filo pastry, filled with a delicious mixture of brandy-soaked South African raisins, ground almonds, thinly sliced apples and pomegranate seeds. It makes a perfect festive dessert!

Preparation time: 25 minutes, plus soaking time

Cooking time: 30-35 minutes

Serves: 8

You’ll need:

80g South African raisins

1tbsp brandy

Vegetable oil, for greasing

270g pack frozen filo pastry, thawed (7 sheets)

80g butter, melted

2 large eating apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

1tbsp lemon juice

80g ground almonds

60g caster sugar

50g pomegranate seeds

To decorate:

Rosemary sprigs (optional)

Icing sugar, for dusting

What to do:

1  Put the raisins into a bowl, cover with boiling water and soak for 15 minutes. Drain thoroughly, then add the brandy. Stir well and soak for 1-2 hours, or overnight.

2  Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan oven 180°C, Gas Mark 6. Grease a large baking sheet.

3  On a work surface, layer 3 sheets of filo pastry on top of each other, brushing each one with melted butter.

4  Mix together the apples, lemon zest, lemon juice, ground almonds, caster sugar and pomegranate seeds. Stir in the soaked raisins, along with any brandy that hasn’t been absorbed. Scatter half evenly over the pastry. Place 2 more filo sheets on top, brushing each one with butter. Scatter the rest of the fruit mixture on top as before. Layer two more sheets of pastry on top, brushing each one with butter.

5  Carefully roll up the filo pastry from the short end to enclose all the filling, and slide the baking sheet underneath, with the seam of the pastry underneath. Don’t worry if the pastry breaks a little. Brush with the remaining butter.

6  Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm or cold, topped with rosemary sprigs (if using) and sprinkled with icing sugar.

Cook’s tips:

*Slice the apples thinly so that they cook properly.

*Mix Greek yogurt and lemon zest together to accompany the strudel, or serve with cream or crème fraiche.

Credit: @southafricanraisins