Pastry Perfection

Austria takes its pastry seriously! Consider the iconic strudel, especially the famous apfelstrudel (apple strudel) – layers of pastry filled with sweet, spiced apple filling. You can find apfelstrudel in most cafes across Austria, and even learn how to make one at the daily Apple Strudel Performance at Schönbrunn Palace’s Café Residenz. A professional pastry chef demonstrates the recipe, which you can watch while eating a slice of freshly baked apple strudel from the Imperial bakery. Another must-try strudel is Topfenstrudel, where the apple filling is replaced with sweet, soft quark cheese (a bit like cottage cheese). Head to Café Griensteidl in Vienna for a perfectly baked topfenstrudel. Savoury strudels are also widely available; Kröll Strudel-Café in Innsbruck has delicious savoury fillings such as potato, mushroom, spinach and meat. Austria is also home to the world’s oldest known pastry, the Linzer Torte, named after the city of Linz. It’s a crumbly hazelnut pastry, filled with redcurrant jam and topped with a lattice design of dough strips. It’s a classic holiday pastry and the vintage k.u.k. Hofbäckerei Café in Linz serves the best version. Have it with a Maria Theresia coffee (with Cointreau and cream) for a decadent treat.