Strawberry & Cream Cheese Toaster Strudel

These homemade Strawberry & Cream Cheese Toaster Strudels are a delicious upgrade from the store-bought variety, with flaky puff pastry filled with sweet strawberry jam and creamy, lightly sweetened cream cheese. Baked to golden perfection and drizzled with a simple vanilla glaze, they’re a delightful breakfast treat or dessert that’s easy to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The combination of tart strawberry and rich cream cheese, encased in buttery pastry, is irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This: These homemade toaster strudels are not only easy to prepare but offer a far more flavorful and indulgent option than the frozen variety. The contrast between the warm, flaky pastry, the creamy, sweet cream cheese, and the bright, fruity strawberry jam creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The light vanilla glaze on top adds just the right amount of sweetness. These strudels are a great option for a special breakfast, brunch, or even a simple dessert.

Perfect Occasion: These toaster strudels are perfect for weekend breakfasts, brunch gatherings, or as a fun and easy dessert option. They can be prepared ahead of time and baked fresh in the morning, making them ideal for serving to guests or as a quick yet indulgent snack. They also make a wonderful treat for family breakfasts or a simple weekend indulgence.

Decoration Tips: For an extra touch, you can garnish the finished strudels with fresh sliced strawberries or a dusting of powdered sugar. For a more festive presentation, consider using colored sprinkles over the glaze. You could also serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re making them as a dessert.

Recipe:

For the Strudels:

• 2 puff pastry sheets, defrosted
• 1/2 cup strawberry jam
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or powdered sugar)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg (for egg wash) or milk (for alternative wash)

For the Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:
   • In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or ziplock bag with a corner snipped off.
3. Prepare the Jam:
   • Place the strawberry jam into another piping bag or ziplock bag and snip off the corner.
4. Prepare the Puff Pastry:
   • Roll out the defrosted puff pastry sheets on a floured surface. Cut each sheet into 9 equal pieces to make 18 pieces total.
5. Assemble the Strudels:
   • On half of the puff pastry squares, pipe a small amount of the cream cheese mixture, followed by a layer of strawberry jam on top.
   • Cover each filled square with another piece of puff pastry, gently pressing the edges together. Seal the edges with the tines of a fork.
6. Egg Wash:
   • Whisk the egg with a splash of water and brush it over the tops of the strudels. (If using milk instead of egg, brush the tops with milk for a golden finish.)
7. Bake:
   • Bake the strudels in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and flaky.
8. Prepare the Glaze:
   • While the strudels are cooling slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust the consistency with more milk if needed.
9. Glaze and Serve:
   • Drizzle the glaze over the warm strudels and let it set for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy!