Aldi Apple Mascarpone Strudel (Specially Selected) Review
Author’s Note: These are my own silly opinions. I have no affiliation with Aldi. As always, this is an unpaid and unsponsored review.
Welcome to the secret raisin society.
This is now the third frozen Aldi strudel I’ve reviewed on this site. In fact, my very first published review was this Fruits of the Forest Strudel (which ended up being mainly apples, not berries, FYI). A few months ago, I reviewed Aldi’s Cherry Mascarpone Strudel. So, I’m on some kind of super strudel spree.
Anyway. This apple rendition is notably different, so here’s my analysis:
The apples are wonderfully tangy — almost fizzy-tart. They’re cut into petite lumps, which make it easier to eat. I definitely taste a slight cinnamon-spice flavor behind the fruit. Surprisingly, there are whole raisins mixed into the apples. I’m not a big fan of raisins, but I don’t mind them here. They do give a slightly pink appearance to the filling. As I wrote in this strawberry pretzel review, I hate the color pink. But I’ll allow it in food. *judgmental sniff*
(Looking for another cinnamon-flavored pastry? Perhaps you would enjoy my review of these Gooey Cinnamon Rolls from Costco.)
Compared to Aldi’s Cherry Mascarpone Strudel, the apple version is sweeter. I think it might be because there is more of the cheese filling in this one. The mascarpone is almost like a goopy, creamy icing inside. It’s definitely sweeter than I wanted it to be, and a bit too oozy. I preferred the comparatively demure smear I received in the cherry version. It’s worth noting that there is more than just mascarpone cheese here — the ingredients also list “low fat soft cheese.” More about the ingredients later.
As per usual, the best part of any Aldi strudel is the pastry. This dessert cooks up fantastically flakey. The outside is crisp and delicate, but the inside layers are moister and soft. I love the huge, crunchy sugar grains on top of the strudel. They add a bit of sparkling sophistication to this bargain nosh.
Speaking of bargains, this strudel is a full 12 inches long. Yes, I measured. It comes frozen in a long, flat box. Like other Aldi frozen pastries, this one isn’t wrapped or sealed in any way — just chillin’ in its birthday suit inside this thin cardboard box. I still do not know how these pastries survive their trip from Germany without damage. But they do.
Leftovers, anyone?
Because of the dairy-based mascarpone filling, I would definitely refrigerate any leftovers. I mean. This strudel is best eaten the same day you bake it. Period-t. The outer pastry tastes predictably soggy and flaccid after refrigerating 24 hours. However, the apple filling is at least as flavorful, if not more so, the second day.
To improve the leftover pastry texture, you can put a serving on a plate and toast it up in a countertop toaster oven for a few minutes, to get the outside crisp-ish again. That’s what I did, anyway.
Ingredients in Aldi Apple Mascarpone Strudel
Here is my best attempt at typing out the ingredients, from the label:
- Apples
- Wheat Flour
- Vegetable Shortening (Palm Oil, Water, Vegetable Oil [Canola, Palm], Mono- & Diglycerides)
- Sugar
- Water
- Mascarpone Cream Cheese (Cream, Citric Acid [Acidifier])
- Low Fat Soft Cheese (Skim Milk, Culture)
- Raisins
- Food Starch-Modified
- Corn Starch
- Salt
- Citric Acid
- Xanthan Gum
- Sodium Alginate
- Calcium Alginate
- Natural Flavor
- Cinnamon
- Concentrated Lemon Juice
- Glucose Syrup
I mean. Apples are the first ingredient. So, it’s basically health food? Hey, let me have my fantasies! It’s also great to see real lemon juice, although there is also citric acid. I do not love vegetable shortening. I do not.
This strudel is imported from Germany.
Nutrition Facts in Mascarpone Apple Strudel from Aldi
There are supposedly 6 servings per strudel, which is a bit wishful. I mean, that would be about 2 inches per slice.
Anyway. A 100 gram serving has 260 calories, 12 grams of fat, and 4 grams of protein. You also get 2 grams of fiber and 17 grams of sugar (only 12 grams are “added sugars”).
Baking Instructions
I baked mine on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The label instructions are as follows:
“Preheat oven to 425 degrees (conventional) or 400 degrees (convection). Remove product from packaging. Place frozen strudel on foil-lined baking tray in the center of the oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes (conventional) or 25-35 minutes (convection) or until golden brown. Let strudel cool down before serving. Do not microwave. Bake thoroughly.”
Price and Servings
A 21.2 ounce strudel costs $3.99. Since there are 6 servings, that is a frugal 67 cents per serving.
Shelf Life
My box had a “best-by” date that allowed more than a year to consume. This is a seasonal item at my local Aldi, so I usually see them stocked a couple times a year.
Dramatic Conclusion
It’s hard to go wrong with Aldi’s frozen strudels. I definitely preferred the Cherry flavor over the Apple, although it was a nice change of pace. If you are a fan of sweeter desserts, you may relish the sugar rush of the apple version. Be prepared for the sneaky, sequestered raisins. Regardless, these are quality strudels for the money, and easy to prepare. I shall continue to buy.
The End.
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