The Viennese are the ones who made this dish famous with their delicate, thin layers of dough and sweet, tart apple filling. It was the Turkish Baklava pastry, introduced into Austria in 1453 that laid the foundation for strudel.

When were strudels invented?

History. The oldest known strudel recipe is from 1697, a handwritten recipe housed at the Wienbibliothek im Rathaus. Whether as a type of sweet or savoury layered pastry with a filling inside, the strudel gained popularity in the 18th century through the Habsburg Empire (1278–1780).

Where do many people believe strudel dough first originated?

The History of Strudel. Strudel is originally from Vienna. It's roots go way back to medieval times, and spanning middle eastern as well as Germanic cultures. One of the most common desserts that Germany is often identified with is Apfelstrudel or Apple Strudel.