Soak the sultanas in the rum for about 4hr or overnight. Beat together the ricotta cheese, cream and egg yolk in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the sultanas and any remaining liquid, pinenuts, orange and lemon rind, mixed peel, icing sugar and cinnamon. Peel, core and thickly slice the apples.
Step 2
Place 2-3 sheets of Filo pastry on a sheet of greaseproof paper to make a 28x45.5cm (11x18in) rectangle, with the longest edge towards you. Brush lightly with some of the melted butter. Place a few more sheets on top, then brush again with melted butter. Sprinkle the almonds over.
Step 3
Starting 5cm (2in) in from the long edge of the pastry, arrange the apple slices, overlapping, along its length. Sprinkle the caster sugar over, then spread the ricotta filling evenly on top.
Step 4
Fold the short pastry sides over to seal in the filling. Using the paper to help you lift the pastry, carefully roll the strudel up as tightly as you can. Curve it a little into a horseshoe shape.
Step 5
Slide strudel on to a baking sheet and brush lightly with butter. Cook at 190°C (375°F) mark 5 for 40min, until golden brown. Leave to rest for 10min, slide it on to a serving plate and dust with icing sugar.
To serve: Serve warm with Cinnamon Cream (see below).
To prepare ahead: Up to 1 day ahead, complete Step 1 (do not prepare apples). Cover and chill.
A crack team of highly skilled food content producers, the GH Kitchen Team are Good Housekeeping’s resident recipe developers and all-round food obsessives. GH Kitchen Director Sarah Akhurstis our resident hosting pro and loves nothing more than putting on a foodie feast for friends. Senior Cookery Writer Alice Shields is a former pastry chef and baking fanatic who loves making bread and would have peanut butter with everything if she could. Lover of all things savoury, Senior Cookery Writer Grace Evans can be found eating nocellara olives at every opportunity, and will take the cheeseboard over dessert any time. With a wealth of professional kitchen experience between them, they’re dedicated to ensuring every Good Housekeeping recipe is the best it can be, so you can trust they’ll work every single time.
