Semi-Homemade Strawberry Strudels
These homemade "toaster" strudels are way better than the store-bought kind. They're semi-homemade because I didn't make the puff pastry. I opted for the puff pastry found in the frozen isle. The jam, however, is homemade and made of fresh strawberries, lemon juice, and a little bit of sugar. It's all very simple and oh so delicious.
Semi-Homemade Strawberry Strudels
Ingredients
1 package puff pastry
10-15 fresh strawberries
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp sugar or sweetener of choice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cornstarch
1 egg
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp heavy cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Remove puff pastry from freezer and follow thawing instructions on packet. I place package in fridge the night before I plan to make the strudels so that I can begin making them right away in the morning.
Puree strawberries. Add to a medium pot over high heat.
Add lemon juice, sugar and vanilla. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low.
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 tbsp water. Add to the strawberry mixture.
Cook on low for 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens.
While the sauce is cooking, unroll the puff pastry.
Roll out both sheets a little bit, just to smooth them out.
Cut each sheet into 9 equal pieces, so a total of 18 pieces.
Place 1 tablespoon of filling onto each piece, spreading it out into a square shape, but leaving 1/4-1/2 of an inch on all sides.
Create an egg wash by beating the egg with 1 tbsp of water.
Brush the edges of the pastry dough with the egg wash.
Place the remaining pieces over the pieces with the filling and crimp the edges with a fork.
Using a fork, poke several holes on top to let steam escape while baking.
Brush the tops with the egg wash.
Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. They may puff up quite a bit... it is puff pastry after all... but don't worry, this is normal and they will deflate a little bit.
While baking, prepare the icing. Whisk together the powdered sugar and half and half.
Transfer icing to a small plastic bag. Cut a very small tip off of one of the corners, add the icing and drizzle icing all over the strudels once they have cooled slightly.