Authentic Hungarian Cheese Strudel with Phyllo Dough {Túrós Rétes} | Homemade Recipes 2024 (2024)

What is Hungarian Cheese Strudel?

➡️ Before uncovering the recipe, what is Hungarian cheese strudel? Authentic Hungarian cheese strudel is a sweet pastry made with phyllo dough wrapped around a filling of sweetened cheese. The filling typically contains soft white cheeses like quark cheese (similar to fresh ricotta) or cottage cheese that are blended with eggs, vanilla, and sugar to create a sweet, creamy cheese filling. This is wrapped in numerous thin layers of phyllo dough in a long log shape.

➡️ The strudel is then baked until the phyllo is crisp and golden brown. As it bakes, the cheese filling melts into a lush custard-like texture. The pastry is served both lukewarm and cold in sliced pieces sprinkled with powdered sugar, featuring flaky phyllo on the outside and sweet, gooey cheese filling within. It is a beloved Hungarian specialty.

Authentic Hungarian Cheese Strudel with Phyllo Dough {Túrós Rétes} | Homemade Recipes 2024 (1)

Hungarian Cheese Strudel with Phyllo Dough (Túrós Rétes)

Túrós Rétes, also known as Hungarian cottage cheese strudel, is a beloved dessert in Hungarian cuisine that has been enjoyed for generations. This sweet pastry is made up of layers of delicate phyllo dough that encase a filling of cottage cheese, sour cream, sugar, and often raisins or rarely other dried fruits.

Although the recipe for Túrós Rétes may seem intimidating at first, it is a relatively simple dish to prepare with a bit of practice and patience. The key to success lies in working carefully with the delicate phyllo dough, ensuring that each layer is rolled out evenly and brushed with enough butter or oil to keep it from drying out or tearing.

Túrós Rétes is a classic and beloved dish that showcases the delicate and nuanced flavors of Hungarian cuisine. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet snack, this pastry is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you craving for more.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 25 oz sweet cow cheese, cottage cheese, or another drier sweet fresh cheese type
  • 7 oz granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 3.5 oz golden raisins
  • 2 tbsp sour cream (12% fat)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 8 tbsp semolina
  • grated zest from a lemon
  • 14 oz phyllo pastry dough (12 sheets)
  • 3.5 oz butter (80% fat or more)
  • powdered sugar for garnish

Instructions

  • place cheese into a bowl

  • add over cheese sugar, 2 eggs, raisins, sour cream, vanilla extract, 5 spoons of semolina, and lemon zest, then mix ingredients by hand to combine very well

  • place butter into a saucepan, put the pan on the stovetop over medium temperature, and wait to melt the butter

  • unpack phyllo pastry, separate 2 sheets, and brush them with melted butter from place to place on the whole surface

  • place another 2 pastry sheets over the brushed ones and also brush them with melted butter

  • spread a spoon of semolina into a strip near the edge of the last pastry sheet

  • spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture over the semolina strip

  • bend the pastry sheets inward on the longer sides, then roll the filled pastry sheets as tight as possible

  • place the roll on a tray coated with baking paper, then continue identically with the rest of the ingredients and make two other rolls

  • break the last egg, beat it up with a fork, and brush thoroughly the rolls on the top and sides

  • make some small cuts into the rolls to get the steam out during baking and avoid breaking strudel

  • place the tray in the preheated oven at 190 C/375 F and bake the cheese strudel until golden (about 30-40 minutes)

  • remove the tray from the oven and wait to cool the strudel to room temperature

  • cut the rolls off into desired pieces and sprinkle powdered sugar over them in abundance

Notes

Preparation Tips for the Best Results:

  1. Keep the phyllo dough moist: Phyllo dough is a delicate and thin pastry that can dry out quickly. To prevent this, cover the unused phyllo sheets with a damp kitchen towel to keep them moist and pliable.
  2. Brush each phyllo layer with melted butter or oil: To ensure that the layers of phyllo pastry stick together and stay moist, brush each layer generously with melted butter or oil before adding the next layer.
  3. Use a high-quality cottage cheese: The filling of Túrós Rétes relies heavily on cottage cheese. Be sure to use a high-quality product that is fresh, creamy, and not too dry. If the cottage cheese is too dry, you can mix in a bit of sour cream or cream cheese to achieve a creamier texture.
  4. Don’t overfill the pastry: When adding the filling to the phyllo layers, be careful not to overfill the pastry. Too much filling can cause the pastry to burst and lose its shape during baking.
  5. Bake at the right temperature: To achieve a crispy and golden-brown crust, bake the Túrós Rétes at the right temperature. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the pastry for 30-40 minutes or until it is golden brown and crisp.

Keyword cheese strudel, hungarian cheese strudel, hungarian strudel, turos retes

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FAQs about the Hungarian Cheese Strudel Recipe

What is the best way to make the phyllo dough for Hungarian cheese strudel?

The best way to make phyllo dough for Hungarian cheese strudel is to use a combination of flour, water, and oil. Mix the ingredients together until a smooth dough forms, then let it rest for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out.

What is the best type of cheese to use for this strudel?

The best type of cheese to use is cottage cheese. It has a mild flavor and creamy texture that pairs well with the sweet pastry.

How long should I bake this strudel in the oven?

This strudel should be baked in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

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Authentic Hungarian Cheese Strudel with Phyllo Dough {Túrós Rétes} | Homemade Recipes 2024 (2024)

FAQs

How many layers of phyllo dough should I use? ›

Typically, phyllo dishes should have a finished thickness of 3 to 10 sheets per layer. (A one-pound box of phyllo contains about 20 sheets.) Tip: Phyllo pastries can often be very brittle when baked. We recommend using a serrated knife to cut the finished dish to prevent all of the filling from squishing out.

Is strudel dough the same as filo pastry? ›

Even an amateur like me can tell the difference immediately: the homemade strudel pastry is soft and elastic while the filo is brittle and papery. Although both are brushed liberally with melted butter before they go into the oven, the Leiths version emerges with a far richer flavour.

How do you use store bought phyllo dough? ›

To use the sheets, carefully unfold and top with a slightly damp dish towel. This will help make the sheets easier to work with and keep from tearing. If they do tear, well, it really doesn't matter. Save the best sheet for the top of whatever you're making.

Does phyllo dough have eggs? ›

The Naturally Vegan Dough

The perfect substitute for pie crusts, pastry dough and so much more. Athens phyllo is a dairy-free, egg-free dough.

Do you thaw phyllo dough before using? ›

Bring phyllo dough to room temperature prior to use (about 2 hours). Phyllo must be completely thawed and at room temperature for best results. Unopened phyllo has a refrigerated shelf life of 4 weeks thus it can be on hand and ready to use whenever needed.

Should phyllo dough be frozen or refrigerated? ›

Store unopened Athens® Phyllo Dough in the refrigerator instead of the freezer for up to 4 weeks thus it can be on hand and ready to use whenever needed. – Wrap any leftover phyllo tightly with plastic wrap and keep in a cooler for up to 1 week. – For longer storage, refreeze phyllo.

Why is my strudel soggy? ›

Chef Jürgen suggests adding the filling ingredients in a single layer after rolling out the dough; mixing the filling together prior to assembly will result in a soggy strudel as the sugar will draw the water out from the apples.

What's the difference between puff pastry and phyllo dough? ›

The main differences between puff pastry and phyllo dough are their fat content and preparation. Puff pastry is a laminated dough that gets its signature airy puff from layers of butter, while phyllo dough is comparatively low-fat. Phyllo dough is mostly flour and water and can dry out easily.

What is the best brand of filo pastry? ›

The Antoniou fillo pastry brand is a family owned Australian company making the finest quality pastry since 1960.

Why do you put vinegar in phyllo dough? ›

There are two key elements to promoting the extensibility necessary in the dough: adding vinegar to the dough, which weakens some of the gluten bonding, making it less elastic; and ample resting. Of course, it takes practice, just like working with any kind of dough.

Do you have to butter each layer of phyllo? ›

To get that flaky effect, you need to brush some sort of fat between each layer of dough. Usually I use unsalted butter, which gives the finished product a beautiful golden color. For those who don't want to use dairy, you can substitute extra-virgin olive oil for the butter.

What temperature do you bake phyllo dough? ›

Bake phyllo pies and pastries at approximately 350 F / 175 C on the rack just below the middle of the oven. Defrost properly following package and/or recipe directions. While working, keep unused phyllo covered to prevent drying. Don't throw out damaged, torn, or unused phyllo!

Is filo pastry the same as phyllo dough? ›

Making homemade phyllo (or filo) is a labor of love, as it takes time and skill to roll and stretch the dough into large sheets. The unleavened dough is traditionally made with just flour, water, and a small amount of oil. The origins of phyllo are unclear, but it's common in Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines.

Is phyllo dough healthy? ›

And there are reasons to feel good about phyllo: Because the dough has no trans fat, no saturated fat, no cholesterol and just 160 calories per 5 sheets, it makes the perfect substitute for puff pastry, ready-made piecrusts and refrigerated pie dough.

Is filo dough the same as phyllo dough? ›

Phyllo dough, also known as filo dough, is a paper-thin pastry dough made by rolling together layers of dough. It bakes to produce a flaky, shatteringly crisp texture. Although the dough likely originated in Turkey, where it's known as yuf ka, the Greek name filo (“leaf”) caught on internationally.

Do you have to layer filo pastry? ›

Points to remember

Brush each sheet with melted butter and layer up according to the recipe. Layering several sheets of pastry will make your finished dish sturdier. Use for making samosas, parcels, streusels and lining tart tins. Try this technique with our favourite filo pastry recipes.

How many layers of puff pastry do you use? ›

A typical Puff Pastry can have a ranges of between 500 - 700 layers depending on the total of folds involved. You can fold the dough in a number of different ways and the two most common ways are called the " Single Fold / Letter Fold" and "Double Fold/ Book Fold".

References

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