Thank You!! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If there is a thick band of dough around the edges, remove it by gently tearing it away or carefully tug on the band, stretching the dough even a bit further to thin that thick band of dough out. i dont have brandy. With the mixer on low speed, add the water, oil, and lemon juice or vinegar. it is also helpful to treat diarrhea or constipation. Here are a few. Unfold one puff pastry sheet on the towel. Brush the tops with melted butter, then bake for about 30 minutes until golden brown on top! Is that normal? Starting 2-inches in from one short side of the pastry, spread the bread crumbs into a 4-inch wide strip, leaving a 2-inch border on the top and bottom sides as well. Can you bake straight from the freezer or should you defrost before. How long can strudel last? You can eat the cold turnovers, or you can simply microwave them for a few seconds or pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes to warm them up. I wondered if I wrapped it tightly in foil and left it in the foil to bake at a lower temperature (directly from the freezer)? Granny Smith apples are my go-to when it comes to this strudel. Let your apple strudel cool for at least 15 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar and slicing into 8 pieces. That end photo is exquisite! Stir in the walnuts and set aside to cool. I am not sure what I did wrong but I couldn't get this dough to work. Make sure to work on 1 pastry square at a time. Start by making the pastry dough, which is just five ingredients. It turned out Excellent!! These calories help you add to your daily caloric requirement. Custard apple is loaded with fiber that helps to normalize bowel movements and reduces the constipation issues that pregnant women commonly face during this period. Also avoid eating apple at night as it may cause indigestion. Thanks for the recipe! Apple strudel is a traditional Viennese pastry filled with brandy-soaked raisins, apples, and chopped walnuts. December 2008. And never tell an Austrian this is German Apfelstrudel. From my understanding, the history of apple strudel is that is was invented in Vienna, Austria, but became popular throughout neighboring regions like the Czech Republic and southern Germany, particularly Bavaria, where Munich is located and Oktoberfest is celebrated every year. Melt 2 tbsp. Or come visit! Your photography is so amazing! I made this and it was awesome! Somehow I perceived as Vietnamese, from here my comment above I made this last weekend and everyone loved it!! To reheat apple strudel in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Try clearing your browser and see if that fixes it? Once your apple strudel dough is sufficiently thin enough for you to see the pattern of your tablecloth through it, gently spread it with butter and sprinkle half of it with the breadcrumbs. Glad you enjoyed this! Next, melt the stick of butter, and set the oven to 350F. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 60-90 minutes. As I was browsing your recipes I stumbled across the perfect strudel. , digestive tract, and breast cancers. (And it should take about the same amount of time in the oven.) Hey John! Looking for a good way to store your strudel? I went to Trader Joes and they only had puff pastry. Unroll the phyllo and cover it with the plastic wrap from the package or a sheet of wax paper, followed by the damp towel; keep it covered as you work so it doesnt dry out. I literally just held my pan at the edge of the table and used the tablecloth to roll the strudel right onto the baking sheet. There are other kinds of apples you can use as well, including Honey Crisp or Fuji apples. Spread the apple mixture evenly down the center of the pastry lengthwise. Place 1 phyllo sheet on a clean work surface with the long side facing you. Adjust your grip on the fabric to be closer to the now partially rolled apple strudel and lift to roll the strudel again, continuing until the strudel rolls completely up on itself and making sure that the edges that were folded over don't come untucked. Bake the strudel for 25 minutes until the crust is flaky and golden. Working gently, lift and stretch the dough a little at a time. I still made it, but the consistency was that of thick pie crust. Just baked this and very thrilled. What You'll Need To Make Apple Strudel Hope you enjoy! Traditionally, apple strudel is made with strudel dough. Apples are rich in iron and help boost the hemoglobin level in the blood and prevent anemia i (3). Apple strudel, a flaky phyllo pastry filled with brandy-soaked raisins, apples and walnuts, is delicious any time of day with a cup of coffee. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the liquid from the apples dissolves and the apples are soft, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve the strudel on its own, with whipped cream, or with vanilla ice cream. Do you think I can use puff pastry instead of phylo? With a sharp knife, cut diagonal slits in 2-in intervals through the top layers of the dough just to the filling. Like regular apple seeds the culprit is cyanide. If you overmeasure, there might not be enough liquid and you might struggle with your dough. Sometimes the gluten just needs to relax for a few minutes. 1. Not too sweet and delicate. To stretch the dough, first move it from the bowl to a clean, dry surface and cut it cleanly in half with a bench scraper, pizza cutter, or large knife. Hope to have news sometime early next year. I do have a question though. 13520 Aurora Avenue North - Seattle, WA 98133, How To Heat Up A Toaster Strudel In The Microwave, Adding An Escargot Begonia To Your Home: Everything You Need To Know, Catch The Elusive Gyro Creatures Of Sonaria A Guide To Becoming An Expert Gyro Creature Catcher, A Classic French Delight: Chicken Bourguignon, The Dangers Of Ratlung Worm: What You Need To Know About This Rare Parasitic Infection, The Ultimate Guide To Eating Escargot In Paris, Adding A Splash Of Cognac To Beef Bourguignon: Pros Cons & Recipes To Try, How To Make Restaurant-Worthy Beef Bourguignon In Your Pressure Cooker, A Taste Of History: Picking The Perfect Wine To Pair With Cassoulet. Thanks for the review! I do have a question. Dust with confectioners' sugar, then serve warm or room temperature. That's so interesting that you can buy strudel dough at any market there! Cover the apples evenly with half of the raisins (and walnuts, if using) and half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. If youre using a microwave, start with just a few seconds at a time and then check on the strudel to see how its doing. Thanks, Max! Then transfer it to a large area covered in a large, clean tablecloth or bed sheet. SaveIllustration: Momjunction Design Team. It came out perfectly ! The raisins make it! But I should! Any suggestions? Preheat the oven to 180 F / 350 C / 350 F / 350 C / 350 C / 350 F / 350 C / 350 C / 350 C / 350 C / 350 C Pies can be baked on a baking tray covered in foil if you use a gas mark 4. Have you tried making the strudel with the puff pastry? This is amazing. Take a square and place on a separate parchment paper. Copper. The idea of making real, authentic apple strudel from scratch might deter some from attempting it, but really, it's simpler than you might think. Learn how your comment data is processed. After completing her Masters, Shivani Sikri did a postgraduate in nutrition and health education, a post more, swati patwal, M.Sc. He would take a ball of dough no bigger than a fist and pull it little by little (no rolling pin) until the whole thing was as large as a kitchen table - and paper thin. This helps them bake evenly and avoid tears in the dough as the strudel gets rolled up. What a beautiful pastry! 2. I havent tried this with puff pastry, but I think it would work. 4 subscribers Trystan eating an apple strudel on our way to the zoo. It will make the filling the slightest bit more tart, but it will work. It should start to form a shaggy dough. If the food is hot, place it in the foil and reheat for 30 minutes at 190C. This post was originally published in September, 2017. See a medical professional for personalized consultation. I had it on a lower rack in my gas oven, maybe the problem was it need to be more in the middle of the oven. Try measuring the flour by weight (188g) next time. Bryant likes to eat her strudel with whipped cream, but. I used unflavoured coconut oil in place of butter and it came out perfect. The dough formed into a ball about 20 seconds after pouring all the water. Another question. This is really my kind of dessert! Free radicals otherwise can lead to oxidative damage of cells, DNA and their functioning ability (5). Needless to say, when he was. Then ship the cinnamon frosted and strawberry frosted to my house. My favorite part of this post is that adorable little munchkin protecting her bounty of apple peels. Its a crispy, flaky pastry thats easy to make and downright delicious. If you have a difficult time finding the recipe card at the end of the post with all of the measurements, temperatures, and bake times, there is a "jump to recipe" button at the time of the page that will take you straight to that information on the post. They are a good source of soluble fiber that helps reduce cholesterol levels, manages weight and regulates blood sugar levels (12). Using floured rolling pin, roll out dough as thin as possible. PS: working my way through the cookbook. Gently lift the dough and transfer it to the clean, flat surface covered by the tablecloth. Custard Apple During Pregnancy Helps to Lower Morning Sickness Symptoms. You can store it at room temperature for up to 2 days. Hope you enjoy! There w as enough apples to make 2. Microwave the marshmallows for about 1 minute in a microwavable bowl, covered with plastic wrap, and then heat on high for an additional 20 seconds. And then, bake the gluten free apple strudel at 375F (190C) for about 38-40 minutes until it's evenly golden on top. Prevents Anaemia: It has good calories and content, which can help with blood cells in your body. I rolled it with a rolling pin on parchment and this was the hard part. Drain the plumped raisins and sprinkle half of them over the top, then sprinkle with half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Continue to stretch the dough by lifting gently from the thicker edges and wafting a little air under the dough as you pull away from the center of the dough. Apples are rich in iron and help boost the hemoglobin level in the blood and prevent anemiaiXA condition in which a person does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues. I am worried that it might be too much phyllo. Hi Jenn! Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the liquid from the apples dissolves and the apples are soft, 10 to 12 minutes. Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. What Are The Health Benefits Of Eating Apples During Pregnancy? You can find phyllo dough it in the freezer section of most grocery stores (be sure to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before using). If you intend to keep it for an extended period of time, it should be refrigerated or frozen. Its so good!! Hi Jenn, I have a strudel recipe with filling made of walnuts, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon. Brush the top of the strudels with the remaining butter. Directions. No. Secret #1: With Apple Strudel, It's All About Technique There are many things you can fudge on: slice the apples or dice the apples, add nuts and raisins to the filling or leave them out, make one strudel or make them two at a time (the way the women in my family liked to). Therefore, taking necessary precautions while consuming fruits and vegetables with peel, such as washing them thoroughly before eating, is better. A supportive community and membership helping you navigate pregnancy symptoms with ease. However, the peels of fruit and vegetables may contain the parasite toxoplasma, which causes toxoplasmosis leading to vision problems or swollen lymph nodes (15) (16). Apples are fiber-rich fruits that help in proper digestion also, it contains pectins, which help to bulk up stool and promote smooth bowel movements (10). Apple turnovers can be baked or microwaved if you have leftover ones or just need to quickly cook them. Yields 4 to 6 servings (one strudel) Crust. Stir to coat evenly. strudel recipe. Sprinkle half of the breadcrumbs over half of the dough, then place half of the sliced apples on top of the breadcrumbs. Apples are foods rich in iron that prevent anemia and boost immunity in pregnant mothers. Preheat oven to 190C (170C fan) mark 5 and put in a large baking tray to preheat. Thanks again for yet another winner!!!! Spread 2 tbsp apple pie filling in the center of the square, lengthwise. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. I'm experienced in making pie dough and breads so I thought I would be able to do this one. Would the time in the oven be the same? Hi Lynn, yes, you can bake them directly from the freezer. Hope you enjoy the strudel! Is It Safe To Eat Apples During Pregnancy? After that, heat the filling in an oven for 5-7 minutes before adding the fried filling. What a beautiful and delicious strudel! Can I substitute dried cranberries for the raisins? So easy and soooo good. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 35 minutes phyllo turns a nice golden brown. Fold in the edges to prevent the filling from leaking out and roll the strudel over again, so the fold is at the bottom. So easy and really comes out amazing. The modern shortcut is to use store-bought phyllo dough, a tissue-thin dough used for making flaky European and Middle Eastern pastries, such as baklava and spanakopita. Hope you enjoy! Once hot, place in the freezer or on the grill for . No measures or even oven temperature to bake. (3). The crust of their strudels was never flaky like when made with phyllo dough. Thank you so much for this very delicious and super easy to make apple strudel recipe! It should be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to two days. There is just something about Germany that feels so Christmas-y. Leaving equal amount of pastry empty on both the sides. Sprinkle a bit of brown sugar on top. It should just be a really smooth, elastic dough. A professor at the university that I attended used to demonstrate making Strudel from scratch as part of the annual German week. Sprinkle a bit of flour on a large cutting board. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and the toaster oven to 350 degrees. What are the Best Apples to Use for Strudel? Apple tea, which is also an excellent substitute for regular tea, is soothing and refreshing. Although good, you may consume apples in moderation since they are also rich sources of glucose and may lead to excess weight gain. Can I reheat a whole apple pie in the oven? Slice the apples thinly and uniformly. Please LMK how it turns out! Roll up jelly-roll style and carefully transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Probably 5-6 total minutes kneading by hand should do it, instead of just 3. Make the strudel dough: In a large bowl with a whisk by hand, mix together the flour, salt, and sugar. When the dough has rested sufficiently, divide it in half (unless you are making one large strudel) and roll one of the balls into a rectangle, just to get things started. The simple, sweet filling is made with fresh apples, cinnamon, sugar, and raisins for an authentic taste based on the many slices of apple strudel I ate while in Germany! Eating apples during pregnancy can help: 1. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe! I was having company and thought that this looked easy enough. Ive made several recipes from your site and theyve all been delicious. Next, we tell you about the nutritional values of this fruit. Very similar to mine but a few different items in dough. Why not put apple pie in air fryer? Except it turned out that my father had forgotten most of his German. A non-alcoholic drink made by mixing juices and herbs with soda or water. Hi Karen, You can just replace the brandy with water. Hi Elizabeth, So glad yo you like the recipes! Roll up jelly-roll style and carefully transfer to the prepared baking sheet, seam side down. Cravings during pregnancy are usual. Peel the foil back to expose the top. That happened to me too! I followed the recipe to a tee, and it was hard as a rock! The filing was tasty I ended up scooping out the filing, heating it and putting it over ice cream. 1. Oh my, this strudel looks amazing. Set one half of the dough to the side. Apparently, eating the middle and licking the sugar off it is the best way to eat it. If I dont have panko, do you have a substitute recommendation? You may find it easier to drizzle a bit of butter on the dough with the brush and then spread it across the dough in gentle strokes. What purpose does the panko serve? Shelly I too born and raised in Houston Texas. It can be heated in either the toaster oven or the oven at 350F. ?How can we follow the recipe and when almost done the Folding pic goes blank. Thank-you so much for you advice. By the way very good recipe. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) for 5-7 minutes, then cool. So upsetting. Would phyllo be too thin for filling like this? Spread half of the apple mixture over the bread crumbs. The most important thing is to make sure that you dont overheat the strudel, as this will cause the pastry to become soggy. Once upon a time, I went to culinary school and worked in fancy restaurants. Copyright 2011 - 2023 MomJunction Private Limited. Absolutely nothing happened when I used the dough hook. After baking for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees, or until crisp, sprinkle the striated bread with salt and bake 1 day ahead. TLDR: 1/2cup water (instead of 1/3c) and just add flour while kneading OR try a different flour. MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. Nope - it's the 24-70 and I love it! can you eat toaster strudels with braces. One of my bucket list items is to visit theStriezelmarkt (the famous Christmas market dating back to the 1400's) in Dresden one of these years. Seal the dough together by lightly wetting the pastry and pressing it together. Transfer the strudels to a cutting board and slice each one into thirds or quarters. I do think this filling will work with phyllo (and the panko isnt necessary). I would love getting a macro lens though! That said, wrapping it in foil is probably the best way to store it. Go ahead and slam it down on the counter a couple of times during the process. Sorry strudel is not a german nor an austrian inventian. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. On the first go-around, the dough was rock hard, unworkable, and not forming a gluten structure. Truth be told,this apfelstrudel recipe could really be Austrian, Czech OR German. In a large skillet, combine the apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, brandy, raisins, and salt. It stretched fine afterwards. Thank you for sharing your So, will it be OK if I freeze a cooked roll? The oven can be used to reheat apple pie by heating it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and wrapping the slices in foil. The photos and content were updated in October, 2021. Rather than rolling out the dough, which is more familiar to most Americans, homemade apple strudel dough gets stretched thinner and thinner, until it is so thin that you could read newspaper print through it. Hope that helps! Both strudel should fit side by side on the same baking sheet with space between them. You could assemble them and freeze. It's the only lens I use (or own, lol!) With your helpful directions, I will definitely try this recipe. JulieC53. However, eating an apple every day can have even more of an impact. Looking For More Apple Recipes? Using a your hands (or a very soft pastry brush, although I find that my hands work best), gently spread cup of the melted butter over the entire surface of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges. These can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated but thats about it. Lynn. what can i use instead? I was under the impression that strudel is German. If you get some holes, no worries. Traditional strudel dough is made from scratch, rolled, and stretched over a table until it is paper-thin. A cohort study indicated that apple intake during pregnancy might help protect the baby from wheezing and, A prospective study showed that higher apple intake is significantly associated with lower, Green apples are more acidic than red apples, and their intake might aggravate acidity in sensitive pregnant women (, MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Holy moly! . She has also completed her certification Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. Fold the top length of pastry over the apple mixture and roll the strudel over to completely cover the filling. Change out the paddle attachment for the dough hook, then knead the dough on medium speed until a soft ball forms. Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices. Learn how to enjoy apples while expecting by browsing the infographic below. Let cool for at least 20 minutes. Recipes, techniques, and tips for guaranteed crowd-pleasers! It only needs to be kneaded with the dough hook until it starts to come together in a ball, then I transfer it to a clean surface and knead by hand for 2-3 minutes until it's smooth. I have seen several posts with dough failures. Apple strudel can be kept in the fridge for a short period of time or for a longer period of time, but it does not last very long or stay as tasty as fresh. Next attempt will be 2 apples and half the raisins and brown sugar. Go to the grocery store and buy all of the pop-tarts they have. Arrange your frozen goods in the fridge overnight. Delivered Straight to Your Inbox, For FREE. Pregnant women normally have increased body temperature and hot flashes . Stir to coat evenly. Does apple cake need to be refrigerated? Thanks again! Spread half of the apple mixture on top of the panko. Peel, core and cut the apples into 2cm (3/4in) pieces. And too wet. Thank you for another great recipe! Can I freeze apple strudel? I just finished reading The Berlin Girl, and theres a LOT of strudel-eating going on in that book. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Just wondering what kind of raisins I should use. Expect weekly pregnancy approved recipes plus much more. Spread half of the panko in a 3 by 10-inch rectangle about 2 inches from the bottom of the phyllo sheets and about 2 inches from each side. Just dont forget to thaw the phyllo dough in the fridge overnight like I did. I do have one suggestion and that is for baking recipes to also include weight measurements. peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 6 cups), plumped in hot water for 10 minutes, then drained. The easiest and the most delicious recipe! Read my full disclosure policy. Oh, and while perhaps not traditional, I love a big scoop of vanilla ice cream to go along with my apple strudel. I could almost taste that beautiful strudel. Thank youthey were sweetened so it was still delicious. But we're not scared of trying to make real German apple strudel from scratch, are we? One of our family Christmas traditions is to have a Weihnachten dinner at our favorite German restaurants. Place the dough in a light greased bowl, turning to coat the ball of dough, then cover with a piece of plastic wrap and let the dough rest for 60 to 90 minutes. Daily consumption of apples reduces bad cholesterol levels, plaque formation, and inflammation of artery walls (7). Bake until the strudels are golden brown, about 30 minutes. Based on my experiences living Germany for one summer (I know, it's not much to go on) and traveling through southern Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, I definitely want my apple strudel to have raisins but no nuts. I do not like phyllo dough for the strudel, though, and I wish you had come up with your own dough for the pastry. I have made this recipe as written many times and it is wonderful. Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below. Hope you both enjoy! Hi Diana, I do that would work. Any ideas why this might happen? They always come running whenever I am making something with apples because they love to eat the peels. The filling is delicious. Ive made strudel by making my own dough, but am excited about trying it with the phyllo. To freeze Apple Strudel, allow it to cool to room temperature, and place it on parchment or wax paper on a flat surface in the freezer for 2-3 hours. Here's what you need to do. I made extra so I would have a roll for the freezer as we are having company in 2 weeks. As you lift and gently pull, you will see areas where the dough is thinning out and you will know the dough is thin enough when you are able to see the pattern of the tablecloth through the dough. German Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) Recipe, German Apple Cake with Streusel Topping (Apfelkuchen mit Streusel). Try These: Preheat oven to 400F. Measure your flour carefully using the spoon and level method. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. How do you keep apple strudel out overnight? thanks for sharing this recipe. Am making again ( have raisins!) It came out pretty good though. My strudel dough was hard as heck too! Please let me know by leaving a review below. You are the best. (In Vienna, you can get strudel dough sheets at the supermarket!) Enjoyed your Apple. Required fields are marked *. Thank you again for all the wonderful recipes! Your email address will not be published. There are a few tricks to working with phyllo dough, but once you get the hang of it, its easy. What an excellent recipe. I tried making it with nuts recently, but it just didn't taste the same as the apfelstrudel I would get during my travels. This site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn a small fee by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Quick question: Were an anti-raisin household any reason we couldnt just leave them out (as well as the brandy)? The pie slices or whole can be baked Preheating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This is the only recipe from this site that did not turn out. Custard Apple During Pregnancy Averts Constipation Issues. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the dough is golden brown. If straight from the freezer how long should they be baked. Brandy nice and a bit of lemon juice to add a little combination of flavour. Now, Im cooking for my family and sharing all my tested & perfected recipes with you here! How to Make Apple Strudel Prep the apples. Not only can you use pre-made dough for the crust, but you can also throw together your apple filling in minutes. How To Bake Escargot Perfectly: A Guide To Cooking The French Delicacy, How To Make A Delicious Gyro Sandwich At Home. Excessive inflammation during pregnancy is linked to developmental issues in babies. Prevent anemia. These will soak up some of the juice released from the apples as they cook so you don't end up with a soggy strudel. Can you reheat apple strudel? After completing her Masters, Shivani Sikri did a postgraduate in nutrition and health education, a postgraduate diploma in public health and nutrition (PGDPHN), and a postgraduate diploma in nutrition and clinical dietetics. Next, toss the apple slices in a bowl with the juice of half a lemon until all the slices are lightly coated to prevent them from browning (photo 2). They are highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants, phytonutrientsiXNatural chemicals and nutrients obtained from plants. If you make it again, make sure to set it on the middle rack. So disappointed. We use puff pastry and we dont cook the apples before putting them in we just put them in raw with some raisins , walnuts, cinnamon and sugar or honey. Thank you. It's easier than it sounds to stretch your strudel dough as thin as you need it. Honestly, I haven't even looked into it yet. The word, "Strudel", I'm told, means "whirlpool" in Austrian dialect. My dough was hard as a rock. What is the best way to cut the phyllo to the recommended size? You sure can! That's so strange that that happened - I just checked on my end and everything is working right and those pictures are showing up on on both my desktop and phone. Thank you in advance. I dont have any booze in this house and am not driving for 1/2 hour to get 2tablespoons of brandy to soak the raisins. This is what comes in different strudels like with cherries, I know u can buy it by Aldi but it's not the dry good Quark u use for cheese cakes, full cream or reduced cream whatever you prefer. Get 5 Baking Secrets That Will Change Your Life! Thank you. Unroll the phyllo and cover it with the plastic wrap from the package (it's usually rolled in a sheet of plastic) or a sheet of wax paper, followed by the damp towel; keep it covered as you work so it doesnt dry out. My husband and I lived in Germany for a little bit and we absolutely loved it!