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Authentic Italian Apple Strudel Gelato: The 2023 Flavor of the Year

Apple Strudel Gelato, also known as Gelato Apfelstrudel, is a deliciously creamy frozen dessert created to pay tribute to the traditional Austrian Apfelstrudel pastry, and was selected as the special flavor for Gelato Day 2023. This gelato features classic fall and winter flavors, making it a perfect choice for the Christmas season.
Recipe Authentic Italian Apple Strudel Gelato: The 2023 Flavor of the Year
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Preparation 20 minutes
  • Servings for Serves 4

This creamy Apple Strudel Gelato combines traditional South Tyrolean flavors with Italian gelato craftsmanship. Officially crowned Flavor of the Year 2023 during Europe’s Artisanal Gelato Day celebration, this frozen dessert reimagines Austria’s iconic Apfelstrudel as a rich cream-based gelato infused with spiced apple compote, rum-soaked raisins (sultanas), and crisp breadcrumb texture. While maintaining authentic Alpine character through cinnamon accents and lemon oil notes, this recipe uses accessible ingredients: fresh cream substitutes heavy panna fresca if unavailable, while shortcrust pastry pieces can be replaced with butter cookie crumbs. Particularly popular during Christmas celebrations in Italy’s Trentino region where strudel-making is an art form, this gelato makes an elegant finale for holiday menus – serve garnished with mint leaves and caramelized apple slices for festive flair.

Ingredients for Serves 4

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Method

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  1. To prepare the Apple Strudel Ice Cream, start by making the Shortcrust Pastry following our recipe. Once ready, roll it out into a thin layer and place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with sugar and bake in the oven at 170°C (338°F) until golden brown.
  2. Place the raisins in a bowl and cover them with rum to rehydrate and absorb the flavor.
  3. Peel the apples, remove the core, and cut them into small pieces. Place them in a saucepan, sprinkle with cinnamon, add a tiny bit of water, and cook thoroughly until you can mash them with a fork to create a puree. Be careful not to add too much water – the puree shouldn’t be too liquid. The small amount of water is only needed for the initial cooking.
  4. In a saucepan, combine cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and the previously beaten egg yolks. Heat until reaching 82°C (180°F), being very careful to stir constantly and not exceed the indicated temperature. If the mixture boils, the custard risks curdling.
  5. Take the cooked apple puree and blend it with the custard in a mixer. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and turn it on. While the mixture is freezing, toast the pine nuts in a non-stick pan without adding any fat (neither butter nor oil).
  6. Once the mixture has started to solidify, add the slightly squeezed rum-soaked raisins, toasted pine nuts, and 100g of crumbled shortcrust pastry. Continue churning in the ice cream maker until it becomes thick and creamy.
  7. When it reaches your preferred consistency, the Apple Strudel Ice Cream is ready to be served and enjoyed, perhaps topped with a sprinkle of crushed shortcrust pastry. Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!

Variations and Alternatives

If preferred, you can soak the raisins in water instead of using rum

Storage

This Apple Strudel Ice Cream can be stored in the freezer, preferably in an airtight container, for 4-5 days without any issues.

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