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If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing the nostalgic joy of a morning pastry but crave something homemade and bursting with flavor, this Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe is exactly what you need. Picture flaky, buttery puff pastry enveloping luscious, thick strawberry jam, all crowned with a delicate drizzle of sweet vanilla icing. Every bite is a perfect balance of crisp, softness, and fruity sweetness that’ll brighten up any breakfast or snack time. Trust me, once you try these, store-bought versions simply won’t cut it anymore!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are delightfully simple yet essential for crafting the perfect Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role, contributing either rich texture, vibrant flavor, or that irresistible sweet finish.
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed): The buttery, flaky base that gives these strudels their signature lightness and crunch.
- â…” cup thick strawberry jam (seedless recommended): Provides a luscious fruity filling that balances sweetness with natural tang.
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch: Helps thicken the jam filling slightly, ensuring it stays put and doesn’t get soggy.
- 1 large egg: Used for egg wash to seal the pastries and add a golden, glossy finish.
- 1 Tablespoon water: Mixed with egg to perfect the wash consistency.
- 1 ½ Tablespoons salted butter (melted): Adds richness and moisture when incorporated into the icing.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: The sweet base of the icing that melts smoothly over the pastry.
- 1 ½ Tablespoons milk: Creates the ideal drizzling texture for the icing.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the icing’s flavor profile.
How to Make Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry Base
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lay one sheet of puff pastry on a baking sheet and gently roll it out into a flat square. Then, cut it into six equal rectangles—this forms the base of your delectable strudels.
Step 2: Mix and Add the Strawberry Filling
In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry jam and cornstarch until smooth. This step is crucial for a smooth filling that won’t leak out during baking. Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of this luscious jam mixture onto three of the pastry rectangles, leaving a half-inch border around the edges for sealing.
Step 3: Seal with Egg Wash
Whisk together the large egg and a tablespoon of water to create your egg wash. Using a pastry brush or your fingertip, lightly brush the edges of the jam-covered rectangles. This sticky wash helps seal the sandwiches securely to prevent the jam from escaping while baking.
Step 4: Sandwich and Chill
Top each jam-covered rectangle with one of the remaining plain rectangles, pressing the edges firmly to seal the strudel. Transfer all sealed strudels to the refrigerator while repeating the same process with the second puff pastry sheet. Chilling at this stage helps preserve the shape and crispness while baking.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Once all six strudels are prepared, place them on a baking sheet, brush the tops lightly with egg wash again, and bake in the preheated oven for 16 minutes or until beautifully golden brown. Allow them to cool on a wire rack until just warm—this temperature lets the filling set gently and keeps the pastry flaky.
Step 6: Whip Up the Icing
For that iconic strudel finish, whisk together the powdered sugar, melted salted butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If it’s a touch too thick, add a little more milk to reach a perfect drizzling consistency. Pour the icing into a resealable plastic bag, snip off a tiny corner, and drizzle generously over the warm strudels. This icing glaze is what elevates these treats from delicious to unforgettable.
How to Serve Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe
Garnishes
Your Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe shines on its own, but feel free to sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh strawberry slices on top to add a touch of elegance and extra freshness.
Side Dishes
Pair these strudels with a cup of rich coffee or creamy latte for the perfect morning boost. They also work beautifully alongside a bowl of Greek yogurt or a handful of mixed berries to balance the sweetness with some tartness and creaminess.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Arrange several strudels on a wooden serving board with fresh mint leaves and a small bowl of extra strawberry jam on the side. Or place each drizzled strudel on a colorful plate with a dollop of whipped cream for an inviting, café-style breakfast presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (though that’s unlikely!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. This keeps the pastry from becoming too soggy while preserving that irresistible fruity flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked strudels by wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat your leftover or thawed strudels in a 350°F oven for about 5-8 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy. Avoid the microwave if you can; it tends to make the pastry chewy rather than flaky.
FAQs
Can I use other jam flavors instead of strawberry?
Absolutely! While this Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe shines with strawberry, you can experiment with raspberry, blueberry, or even apricot jam for a different but equally delightful twist.
Do I need to thaw the puff pastry before using it?
Yes, thawing the puff pastry is important to make it manageable and allow it to bake properly. Usually, about 30-40 minutes at room temperature does the trick.
Can I make the icing thicker or thinner?
For a thicker icing, use less milk, and for a thinner glaze, add milk gradually until you reach the desired consistency. This flexibility helps you customize how generously you want to drizzle your strudels.
Is cornstarch necessary in the jam filling?
While not absolutely mandatory, cornstarch helps keep the jam from oozing out during baking by thickening it slightly, making your strudels much neater and easier to enjoy.
How do I store unbaked strudels if I want to bake them later?
Once sealed, you can refrigerate the unbaked strudels wrapped tightly for up to 1 day. For longer storage, freeze them; bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe enough for anyone who loves a homemade touch with bakery-worthy results. It’s approachable for all skill levels and works wonders whether you’re making a special breakfast or a quick treat. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked on that perfect flaky texture paired with sweet, fruity goodness and a luscious vanilla drizzle.
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Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 6 strudels
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels are a delightful homemade twist on the classic frozen treat, featuring flaky puff pastry filled with sweet strawberry jam and finished with a smooth vanilla icing drizzle. Perfect for a quick breakfast or snack, they come together in just over half an hour and yield a deliciously golden, flaky pastry that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry and Filling
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)
- â…” cup thick strawberry jam (seedless preferred)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon water
Icing
- 1 ½ Tablespoons salted butter (melted)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ Tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Take one sheet of the thawed puff pastry and gently roll it out into a flat square. Cut this square into six equal rectangles.
- Mix Jam Filling: In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry jam and cornstarch until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This will help thicken the jam as it bakes.
- Fill Pastry Rectangles: Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of the jam mixture onto three of the six rectangles, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges free of jam for sealing.
- Seal Pastries: In another small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Lightly brush the edges of the jam-covered rectangles with the egg wash. Place the remaining three puff pastry rectangles over the jam-covered ones and press the edges firmly to seal. Transfer these assembled pastries to the refrigerator while preparing the second batch with the other sheet of puff pastry, repeating these same steps.
- Bake Strudels: Arrange all six sealed strudels on one baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly brush the tops with the egg wash to help them brown beautifully. Bake them in the preheated oven for 16 minutes or until the pastries turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack until just warm.
- Prepare Icing: Whisk together the melted butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth and reaches a drizzling consistency. Add a little more milk if needed.
- Drizzle and Serve: Pour the icing into a small resealable plastic bag, snip off a tiny corner, and drizzle the icing over the warm strudels decoratively. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade strawberry toaster strudels!
Notes
- Ensure puff pastry is thawed but cold for easier handling and to maintain flakiness.
- You can substitute seedless strawberry jam with any other flavor or berry jam of your choice.
- The cornstarch thickens the jam filling to prevent it from becoming too runny during baking.
- Use a gentle hand when brushing the egg wash to avoid spilling over the edges which can burn.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and milk in the icing with vegan alternatives.
- Strudels are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days and reheated.
