This flaky, sweet treat is easy to make and looks super fancy. You can use what fruit is in season..I usually use apples, but had pears on hand, which made this succulent and tender on the inside. Mixed with raisins and spices, it's the perfect fall dessert. Here's what you'll need:
3 c sliced pears (or apples)
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c raisins
1 c chopped walnuts (or pecans)
1 pkg phyllo dough
1.5 c butter, melted
1.5 c bread crumbs
2 Tbsp butter
8 oz cream cheese
Mix sliced pears with cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice, raisins and chopped nuts. Set aside.
mix w/ raisins, spices and nuts
Take the bread crumbs, 2 Tbsp butter and cream cheese- cook in a sauce pan for 10 minutes and set aside.
Begin working w/ phyllo- put 2 phyllo sheets on a towel and brush with melted butter. Continue doing this every 2 layers until you have around 8 layers (16 sheets) done. Scoop half of pear mixture onto the short end of the dough, then drop half the bread crumb mixture by tablespoonfuls over the filling.
pile half of filling on short end of phyllo
Lifting your towel, roll tightly. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon and sugar and place on greased baking sheet...pinch edges to seal.
Lifting your towel, roll tightly. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon and sugar and place on greased baking sheet...pinch edges to seal.
roll tightly.. I sprinkled a little extra bread crumbs and cinnamon and sugar on top
Repeat to make a second strudel. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or until lightly brown. If you want, drizzle with a little icing over them and let cool.
a little sweet glaze to finish them off
Using phyllo cuts the time usually needed in making a proper strudel dough..but tastes just as decadent! This was very easy to make and gotten eaten up very quickly around here, which means it was a success!
