The weather has taken a turn. The air is thick, and the sky is a blanket of white, threatening to rain. We expect this to hang around for a week, or longer.

It does not feel like summer. It does not make me want to pull on my togs and head to the beach, nor drink cocktails under the magnolia tree. We have little desire to light the BBQ, and eat melon off sticks. This is not how I imagine the Christmas season to be, but its seems to be the case every December.

Aside from the weather, December is a great month for everything else. I actually rather like the Christmas buzz. I love admiring Christmas decorations on our friends’ mantelpieces. I enjoy a gingerbread man or chocolate truffle with my afternoon cup of tea. I look forward to any excuse to throw a ‘Christmas party’, or, well, an anything party because you see, December is a month of food and fellowship, and these are two of my favourite things.

So when these last minute parties arise, I like to be prepared with a quick dessert, appropriate for the festive season. Apple and Fruit Mince Strudel is ideal for that. This is a fantastic way to use up the fruit mince that remains after making those Christmas mince pies (I couldn’t believe it when I found a whole ‘nother jar in my pantry after already making 4 dozen mince pies..!). This strudel is surprisingly fresh and light. It is the perfect dessert for these dull, damp days, and is even better with warm homemade custard!

Apple and Fruit Mince Strudel

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
2 apples, diced
2 Tbsp sugar
1 cup fruit mince
1 egg

In a saucepan, mix sugar and diced apples. Place over a medium flame and heat until just cooked, stir occasionally to avoid burnt sugar). Roll out puff pastry in one direction to make a long rectangle. Down the centre third, spread a layer of fruit mince, top with cooked apple. Make slits in the pastry from the middle third out to both outer edges, about 2 cm wide. Fold these slits over the filling, glaze with beaten egg and bake on 180˚C for 25 – 30 minutes or until golden.

While on the topic of New Zealand weather, I take this opportunity to share with you a monthly blogging event for Kiwi bloggers (who live in or outside NZ), Sweet New Zealand. It’s a fantastic way to get to know other NZ bloggers and to share some favourite recipes. Each month a new blogger hosts and this month it’s over at Bron Marshall. Check out the recipes submitted already here. I will be submitting my recipe for Apple & Fruit Mince Strudel for this month’s event.