National Apple Strudel Day is a holiday observed on June 17th annually. The purpose of this sweet dessert-based holiday is to celebrate a dish that originated in Austria but is now enjoyed by millions around the globe. The name “strudel” in German means “swirl,” and we think it’s the perfect description for the rolled layers of pastry goodness. It’s a good day to make your own apple strudel or to buy one from a local bakery and share it with friends and family.

The History of Apple Strudel

We have traced apple strudel back to Austria in the 17th century. This is when the first Apfelstrudel—as it’s known in German—was created and placed in a cookbook in 1696. This recipe is housed at the Wienbibliothek im Rathaus, a library and archive that houses important documents related to the history of Austria.

However, some people say that strudel dates back even further than the 17th century and that it was a common dish in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Traditionally, these strudels were made with apples, with other flavors being used later on. Even so, apple strudel is considered the national dish of Austria. In the United States, apple strudel was popularized by the Pennsylvania Dutch but is now enjoyed by people all over the country.

Observing National Apple Strudel Day

National Apple Strudel Day can be observed by simply enjoying this type of strudel for the day. There are literally dozens of great apple strudel recipes on the internet for anyone adventurous enough to try one. However, if you’d rather enjoy one baked by someone else, then feel free to visit your local bakery and see what they have to offer. Once that’s been done, be sure to let everyone on the internet know you’re having a strudel day by using the hashtag #NationalAppleStrudelDay.