Name: Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Pillsbury Crescent Rolls; Cream Cheese (8 oz, softened); Powdered Sugar (1 cup); Strawberry Pie Filling (1 ½ cups); Egg (1, beaten); Sugar; Powdered Sugar (½ cup); Milk (1 tbsp)

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There’s something utterly enchanting about the aroma of a freshly baked pastry wafting through your kitchen, especially when it’s as delightful as a Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel. Picture it: the crisp, golden-brown layers of crescent dough hugging a luscious cream cheese filling swirled with vibrant strawberry pie filling. It’s like a warm embrace on a chilly Valentine’s morning, drawing you in with every sweet, buttery whiff.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel

Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel

Growing up, special occasions always called for a bit of magic in the kitchen, and strudel was the star of many of our family gatherings. As I remember those bustling mornings where laughter intertwined with the scent of baked goods, making this strudel feels like a celebration in itself. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, this easy recipe is perfect for sharing love—not just for your special someone, but for everyone who gets a taste. So why not treat yourself to this delightful breakfast dessert? I can’t wait for you to try it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just 20 minutes of prep and another 20 in the oven, you’ll have a delightful treat in no time.
Irresistible Flavor: The creamy, rich filling paired with the sweetness of strawberries makes every bite blissful.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Its braided crust looks impressive, making it a charming centerpiece for any breakfast or brunch.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a sweet addition to your dessert table at a party.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adapt it for gluten-free diets or swap the cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls: The base of our strudel, these rolls are flaky and buttery, making them a perfect choice for easy baking.
Cream Cheese (8 oz, softened): The key to the creamy filling; it adds richness and balances the sweetness.
Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Used to sweeten the cream cheese, creating a smooth mixture that complements the strawberries.
Strawberry Pie Filling (1 ½ cups): Bursting with flavor, this makes the strudel juicy and decadent; you could also use fresh strawberries if preferred.
Egg (1, beaten): This gives the pastry a lovely golden sheen when baked.
Sugar: A sprinkle on top for added sweetness and crunch.
Powdered Sugar (½ cup) and Milk (1 tbsp): These create a simple icing to drizzle over the finished strudel for an extra touch of sweetness.

How to Make Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures that your strudel doesn’t stick while baking and helps achieve that perfect golden crispiness. While the oven heats, unroll the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls onto the parchment paper. Gently press the seams together, straightening out the edges so that you have a nice, even rectangle that will hold all that delicious filling.

Slice the Dough: Using a pizza cutter, carefully cut 1-inch strips down both sides of the dough, leaving about 3 inches of uncut dough in the center for the filling. This creates the perfect canvas for your delicious stuffing while giving it that signature strudel look.

Mix and Spread: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar until smooth. This will be the creamy delight that contrasts beautifully with the sweet strawberries. Spread the cream cheese mixture generously up and down the center of the dough where it’s not cut. Oh, the texture is just divine!

Add the Strawberries: Next, layer the strawberry pie filling over the cream cheese. Make sure to spread it evenly so that every bite has that sweet strawberry goodness. This step adds vibrant color and a burst of flavor to our strudel.

Braid the Strudel: Now, it’s time to have a little fun! Take the dough strips you cut earlier and wrap them over the filling in a braided style, overlapping them slightly. This will not only look beautiful but also creating those flaky, crispy layers we all love.

Brush and Sprinkle: Brush the outside of your lovely strudel with the beaten egg (you won’t need the entire egg, just enough to coat the surface). Then, generously sprinkle sugar on top. This will caramelize beautifully in the oven and give your strudel a delightful crunch.

Bake to Perfection: Place your strudel in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and your kitchen smells heavenly. Keep an eye on it; once it’s bubbling slightly around the edges and turns that lovely golden hue, you’re good to go!

Make the Icing: While your strudel is baking, whisk together ½ cup of powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk to create a smooth icing. The consistency should be pourable but not too runny—just enough to drizzle over your finished masterpiece.

Storing & Reheating

After your Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel has cooled, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you need to keep it longer, refrigerate it for up to a week. For storing in the freezer, wrap the strudel tightly in foil or plastic wrap; it can stay fresh for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes. Just know that while reheating can restore its crunch, the texture may soften a bit due to moisture, so eat it fresh for the best experience!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid Overbaking: Watch the edges closely; once they’re golden, it’s time to take it out. Overbaking can dry out your pastry.
Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smoother cream cheese filling, always use softened cream cheese. Setting it out an hour prior works wonders!
Don’t Skip the Sugar: A sprinkle on top is crucial for adding that sweet, crunchy layer that contrasts beautifully with the soft inside.
Experiment with Fillings: You can easily switch the flavors up! Try different fruit fillings or even chocolate spread for a fun variation.
Make Ahead for Convenience: Assemble the strudel, but don’t bake it. Refrigerate it until you’re ready to pop it in the oven—perfect for morning guests!

You’ve just discovered a delightful kitchen endeavor with the Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel. As you bring this luscious treat to life, don’t hesitate to play around with the fillings or toppings—this recipe is as adaptable as it is delicious. It promises a heartwarming experience for you and those you share it with, and I know you’ll fall in love with it just as I have. Enjoy every layer, every bite, and may your Valentine’s Day be sweetened with homemade joy!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of pie filling?

Absolutely! Fresh strawberries can add a lovely, bright flavor to your strudel. Just slice them and toss them with a bit of sugar to help draw out their juices. You can mix them with a bit of cornstarch to thicken for an optimal filling consistency!

Can I freeze the strudel before baking?

Yes, you can prepare the strudel, wrap it well, and freeze it unbaked. When you’re ready to enjoy it, bake it directly from the freezer—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time to ensure it cooks through.

How do I know when my strudel is done baking?

Look for a golden brown color on the edges and a bubbling filling. You can also gently tap the crust; it should sound crisp. A food thermometer can help, aiming for an internal temperature of about 190°F.

What can I use instead of cream cheese?

If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, vegan cream cheese or a custard made from silken tofu, whipped, can work well. Just remember that the texture may vary slightly, but it’ll still be delicious!

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Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel

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Author: Nadia
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Valentine Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Strudel is a charming pastry, combining flaky crescent rolls with a creamy filling and sweet strawberry topping—a delightful treat for any occasion.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unroll the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and press seams together to form a rectangle.
Cut 1-inch strips down both sides of the dough, leaving 3 inches in the center for filling.
Mix softened cream cheese with 1 cup of powdered sugar until smooth and spread it in the center of the dough.
Layer strawberry pie filling over the cream cheese mixture evenly.
Braid the dough strips over the filling, overlapping slightly.
Brush the strudel with beaten egg and sprinkle sugar on top.
Bake for about 15 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
Make icing by whisking together ½ cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon milk and drizzle over the strudel.

Notes

For a smoother filling, use softened cream cheese.
You can switch fillings; fresh strawberries also work wonderfully.
Assemble ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.