If you’re craving a delightful, homemade treat that feels just as magical as the store-bought version but way fresher and more satisfying, this Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Flaky puff pastry envelops a luscious, thick strawberry jam filling and is topped off with a simple, sweet icing that melts perfectly on every bite. It’s an easy yet impressive way to bring a little pastry shop vibe right into your home, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you want a special snack with minimal fuss and loads of flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To get these tasty toaster strudels just right, you only need a handful of ingredients. Each contributes something crucial—whether it’s the buttery flakiness of the puff pastry, the fresh sweetness of the strawberry jam, or the smooth, creamy icing that ties it all together.
- Puff pastry sheets: The star creating flaky, buttery layers that give the strudels their signature texture.
- Thick strawberry jam: Provides the sweet and tangy fruit filling that bursts with flavor—seedless is ideal for a smooth bite.
- Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the jam, preventing it from oozing out during baking.
- Large egg: Used for the egg wash to seal and glaze the pastry, giving those golden, glossy tops.
- Water: Mixed with the egg to make a perfect wash consistency without overpowering the egg’s effect.
- Salted butter: Melted to enrich the flavor though not mixed in, perfect for brushing if you like an extra buttery finish.
- Powdered sugar: The base of the icing, bringing sweetness and that classic Toaster Strudel look.
- Milk: Lightens the icing to just the right drizzle consistency.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the icing’s flavor, balancing the sweetness with that cozy note.
How to Make Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Puff Pastry and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F and get two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. This ensures your strudels bake evenly and don’t stick. Lay one thawed puff pastry sheet on a baking sheet, then gently roll it out into a flat square before cutting it into six equal rectangles. Keeping these rectangles uniform helps everything bake perfectly.
Step 2: Mix the Strawberry Filling
Whisk together the strawberry jam and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth and thickened slightly. This step is key for a jammy filling that won’t spill out during baking. Using a spoon, dollop about one and a half tablespoons of the jam on half of the rectangles, making sure to leave a half-inch border free of jam. That border is crucial for sealing the pastry edges properly.
Step 3: Apply Egg Wash to Seal
In another bowl, whisk the egg with a tablespoon of water until combined. This creates the ideal egg wash to help your pastries seal tightly and get that beautiful golden finish. Using a pastry brush or even your fingertip, lightly brush the edges of the rectangles where there is no jam. This little step seals in the filling so everything bakes up nicely.
Step 4: Assemble the Strudels
Now, place the plain puff pastry rectangles on top of the jam-covered ones, lining them up carefully. Press the edges with your fingers to ensure the layers stick together well. Once the first batch is complete, pop the tray in the fridge to chill while you repeat the process with the second puff pastry sheet. Chilling helps the dough hold its shape during baking, which means flakier results!
Step 5: Bake and Brush Tops
Transfer all six strudels to one baking sheet. Give the tops a gentle brush with the egg wash to add shine and encourage that golden-brown color. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for about 16 minutes or until they’re puffed and golden. After pulling them out, let the strudels cool on a wire rack until just warm, so the filling isn’t too hot when you bite in.
Step 6: Prepare and Drizzle the Icing
Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until the icing is smooth and just the right thickness to drizzle. If it’s too thick, add a tiny splash more milk. Transfer the icing into a small resealable bag, snip just a corner, and lightly drizzle over the warm strudels. Let the icing settle before serving for that perfect glossy finish.
How to Serve Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra pop of color and freshness, try garnishing your strawberry toaster strudels with a few fresh strawberry slices or a sprinkle of finely chopped mint leaves. This not only enhances the visual appeal but adds a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the filling and icing.
Side Dishes
Pair these strudels with a cup of your favorite morning coffee or tea for a simple, satisfying breakfast. For a fuller brunch, a bowl of plain Greek yogurt or a fresh fruit salad complements the rich pastry nicely and balances the meal with extra protein and vitamins.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to elevate your Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe for a special occasion, serve them on a pretty plate lined with a parchment doily, accompanied by small ramekins of cream cheese spread or extra strawberry jam for dunking. They can also be stacked in a tiered pastry stand for a charming brunch centerpiece that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These delightful toaster strudels keep well in an airtight container on the counter for up to two days. Keeping them at room temperature preserves the flaky texture and soft filling without making the pastry soggy or the icing sticky.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these strudels before baking, assembling them as instructed and placing them on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm. Then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want one, bake them right from frozen but add a few extra minutes to the baking time. This method ensures you always have a quick sweet snack on hand.
Reheating
To revive your leftover or frozen-to-baked strudels, warm them in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F for about 5 to 7 minutes until heated through and crisp again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the puff pastry soggy and compromise that flaky texture we love.
FAQs
Can I use any type of jam for this recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberry jam gives that classic flavor, you can experiment with blueberry, raspberry, or even apricot jam to create your own variations. Just make sure the jam is thick or mix with a little cornstarch to prevent it from leaking.
Is there a substitute for puff pastry?
Puff pastry is key for that flaky, buttery texture, but if you’re in a pinch, phyllo dough or biscuit dough can be used. Keep in mind these alternatives will change the texture and might not puff up in the same way.
Can I make these strudels vegan?
Yes! Swap the egg wash with plant-based milk or melted coconut oil brushed on the edges for sealing and glazing. Use a vegan puff pastry and a plant-based milk for the icing to keep everything completely vegan-friendly.
How do I get the icing consistency just right?
Start by whisking the powdered sugar with the milk and vanilla, then add milk little by little until it’s smooth and easy to drizzle but not too runny. If it’s too thick, it won’t drizzle nicely, and if it’s too thin, it might run off the strudels.
What’s the best way to avoid soggy bottoms?
Make sure your puff pastry is well chilled before assembling and don’t overload with too much filling. Using cornstarch in the jam helps thicken it, reducing moisture that can seep and make the pastry soggy.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe is a surefire way to bring joy and a bit of indulgence into your kitchen without hours of work. Flaky, sweet, and irresistibly delicious, these strudels are a wonderful treat to share or savor solo. Give this recipe a try—you might just find yourself baking them again and again because nothing beats fresh, homemade toaster strudels with that perfect drizzle of icing on top!
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Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels with Icing Recipe
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
These Easy Strawberry Toaster Strudels are a delightful homemade twist on the classic breakfast pastry, featuring flaky puff pastry filled with sweet strawberry jam and topped with a smooth vanilla icing. Perfect for a cozy morning treat or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed)
- ⅔ cup thick strawberry jam (seedless preferred)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon water
Butter for melting
- 1 ½ tablespoon salted butter (melted)
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ Tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pastry: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place one sheet of puff pastry onto a baking sheet, gently roll it out into a flat square, and cut into 6 equal rectangles.
- Prepare Strawberry Filling: In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry jam and cornstarch until smooth. Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of the jam mixture onto 3 of the puff pastry rectangles, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
- Apply Egg Wash to Edges: In another small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Lightly brush the pastry edges where there is no jam with this egg wash using a pastry brush or fingertip, just enough to help seal the pastry.
- Seal Strudels: Place the remaining puff pastry rectangles over the jam-covered ones. Press the edges firmly to seal the strudels. Transfer the assembled strudels to the refrigerator while repeating the same process with the second sheet of puff pastry.
- Bake Strudels: Arrange all 6 strudels on one baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with the remaining egg wash. Bake for 16 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack until just warm.
- Prepare Icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk if needed to achieve a drizzling consistency.
- Decorate and Serve: Pour the icing into a small resealable plastic bag, snip off a tiny corner, and drizzle the icing over the warm strudels. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, use seedless strawberry jam for a smooth filling.
- Keep the puff pastry chilled until ready to assemble to maintain flakiness.
- Be careful not to overfill the pastry to avoid leaking during baking.
- The icing can be adjusted to desired thickness by adding more or less milk.
- These strudels are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
