Pear Cream Cheese Strudel: Deliciously Easy
Introduction
Are you looking for a new recipe that will delight your taste buds with the exquisite combination of juicy pears and creamy cheese enveloped in a flaky pastry? Discover why the Pear Cream Cheese Strudel is a must-try dessert that promises to impress.
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The Allure of Pear Cream Cheese Strudel
A Symphony of Flavors
Satisfy your cravings with an appealing blend of sweet, succulent pears and rich, tangy cream cheese, creating an indulgent and refreshing.
Texture Temptations
Savor the contrast between the crisp, golden-brown pastry and the smooth, luscious filling, offering a delightful mouthfeel in every bite.
A Glimpse into Strudel’s Storied Past
From Ancient Origins to Modern Delight
So, what exactly is a strudel? We can trace the journey of the strudel from its early beginnings, influenced by Turkish baklava, to its beloved status in Austrian and Central European cuisines. The first handwritten strudel recipe is housed in Austria’s Vienna Town Hall. It dates back to 1697. But historians think it was popular for much longer than this. The strudel is closely related to baklava, which has several layers of dough with sweet fillings of apples, nuts, and fillings. An interesting fact: in German, “strudel” means whirlpool or eddy. If you slice a rolled strudel, the filling and dough look like a whirlpool or eddy, thus its German name.
The Evolution of Sweet Fillings
Throughout my years of cooking and baking, I’ve observed that necessity often sparks the creation of exceptional recipes. The dishes I learned to prepare during my upbringing were inspired by the fresh produce from our garden and the fruits we harvested from our fruit orchard. Pears grow abundantly easily in Florida. We can easily find pears in the summer to can and preserve. Pear hand pies and strudels were always a winner at our table.
Crafting the Perfect Pear Cream Cheese Strudel
Selecting the Star Ingredients
- Pears: Choose ripe, firm varieties such as Bosc or Anjou for optimal sweetness and texture.
- Cream Cheese: Opt for high-quality, full-fat cream cheese to achieve a rich and creamy filling.
The Art of Pastry Perfection
- Dough Decisions: Decide between making traditional strudel phyllo dough or puff pastry. For this recipe, I will use a store-bought puff pastry for quicker preparation.
- Phyllo Dough or Puff Pastry Dough: Both are similar but different as well. Both have many layers, and both will bake up with crispy, crunchy, flaky layers. Puffy Pastry has butter placed between the dough layers and is folded and rolled repeatedly. Even though you cannot see the layers after the puff pastry dough is made, the repeated folds and rolling of the dough create airy, flaky layers with a crunchy exterior. Phyllo is tissue-thin sheets of dough. Phyllo, from the Greek word “filo” means leaf. Each sheet is brushed with butter before layering the filling. Phyllo gets crisp and flaky as it bakes. However, Phyllo does not have the same airy quality as the puff pastry. You can easily find both phyllo and puff pastry dough at your local store!
Flavorful Enhancements to Pear Cream Cheese Strudel
- Spice It Up: Incorporate warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to elevate the pear’s natural sweetness.
- Sweet Touches: Drizzle honey or sprinkle brown sugar for added depth of flavor. Once you baked your strudel, you can drizzle a powdered sugar glaze over it once it has cooled a little. My favorite topping before it goes into the oven, generously shake coarse sugar over it and bake.
Easy Delicious Pear Cream Cheese Strudel Recipe
Pear Cream Cheese Strudel
Equipment
- 1- sauce pan
- 1- Hand Mixer
- 1- mixing bowls
- 1- cooling rack
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 1- store bought puff pastry (thawed) usually sold 2 to a package
Pear Filling
- 2 cups chopped fresh or canned pears
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp cold water
Topping
- 2 tbsp coarse decorating sugar
Instructions
Prepare Puff Pastry
- Thaw puff pastry sheet per package instructions. I prefer to put the puff pastry in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. You can also place the pastry on the countertop to thaw for a couple of hours. This recipe uses 1 sheet.
Pear Filling
- Peel and chop 2 cups of pears. If using canned pears, drain and chop, 2 cups of pears. Reserve 3 tablespoons of juice and set aside.
- In a medium sauce saucepan, add 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Whisk together until well combined. Add 3 tablespoons of water and the chopped pears. Mix well. If using canned pears, add 3 tablespoons of pear juice instead of water. Place over medium heat on the stovetop and bring to a simmer. Once gentle bubbles start rising from the bottom of the pan, cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Pear sauce will thicken. Remove from heat. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.
Cream Cheese Filling
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
Assemble the Strudel
- Preheat Oven to 400℉. Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Do the same if using a rectangular tart pan.
- Remove the thawed puff pastry. These are usually packaged in a tri-fold fashion. Remove parchment paper from the baking pan and place it on the countertop. , Place the puff pastry flat onto the parchment paper. You will clearly see a center area and 2 side folds. Take a sharp knife and cut the side folds of pastry into 1/2-inch diagonal strips. Start each cut about 1/4 inch from the center area outward to the edges of the dough. We will fold the diagonal strips over the fruit and cream cheese filling.
- Using the center area and about 1/2 inch from each end, start layering the cream cheese filling. With a spatula, evenly spread the cream cheese filling over the center area. Spoon the pear filling over the cream cheese. Use a spatula to evening spread the fruit filling over cream cheese.
- Alternating from side to side, pull/fold the diagonal dough strips over the filling. This will form a braided look. This is a rustic dessert, so it does not have to be perfect so don't let this intimidate you. The next important thing is to fold over the ends. This will keep filling from leaking out the ends. Using the sides of the parchment paper, pick up the strudel and place it on the baking sheet or into the tart pan.
Egg Wash
- In a small mixing bowl, beat 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of water together until incorporated well. Take a pastry brush and brush egg wash all over the top, sides, and ends of the strudel.
Topping
- Sprinkle coarse decorating sugar over the strudel. Place in a preheated oven and bake at 400℉ for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven. Using a metal offset spatula, gently run around the edges of the strudel to release the edges. Using the parchment paper lift from the baking pan and gently slide off parchment paper onto a cooling rack.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or alone with a cup of coffee. This dessert is good anytime. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide for a Strudel
Smooth and Sweet: Blend cream cheese with some sugar and vanilla extract. Add a hint of lemon zest for brightness. Make sure to set your cream cheese out a couple of hours before using it to bring it to room temperature.
Assembling the Pear Cream Cheese Strudel
- Layering Components: Spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough, followed by the pear filling. A store-bought puff pastry comes packaged in a tri-fold manner, which makes it a convenient filling guideline. Layer on the center fold, cut diagonal lines on the outer folds that fold over the pear and cream cheese filling. You do not have to pinch each fold, but they should be touching close to one another.
- Sealing the Deal: Fold and tuck the pastry at the ends to encase the filling securely.
Baking to Golden Perfection
- Oven Settings: Preheat and bake at the optimal temperature to achieve a crisp exterior and cooked-through interior.
- Finishing Touches: Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar for an appealing sheen and crunch.
The true beauty of this dessert is you can use any fruit or nut filling you desire. Short on time, instead of making homemade fruit filling as my recipe suggested, use canned fruit fillings from your local store. When it comes to the toppings, make a powdered sugar glaze. Once the strudel is out of the oven, let it cool for ten minutes. While it is still warm, drizzle your glaze over the top and add some nuts if you want. This is an easy designer dessert, one you can design and personalize to fit what your family likes.
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Serving Suggestions for Your Pear Cream Cheese Strudel
Ideal Pairings
- Beverage Matches: Complement your strudel with a cup of aromatic coffee, a robust black tea, or a glass of dessert wine.
- Accompaniments: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream, drizzle some caramel sauce, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Presentation Pointers
- Slicing Tips: Use a serrated knife to cut clean slices without squishing the filling. I use a pizza cutter wheel. Works perfect.
- Garnishing Ideas: Dust with powdered sugar, sprinkle with toasted nuts, sprinkle coarse decorating sugar over the top, or for a pop of color, add a sprig of fresh mint.
Variations to Explore Beyond a Pear and Cream Cheese Strudel
Nutty Additions
Incorporate chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans into the filling for added crunch and flavor complexity.
Fruity Twists
Make it your own by adding dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or apricots to the pear mixture for a delightful contrast.
Spice Infusions
To create a warm, aromatic profile, try infusing the filling with spices such as ginger, cloves, nutmeg, or allspice.
Tips for Success
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
- Preventing Sogginess: Ensure pears are not overly juicy and avoid overfilling to keep the pastry crisp.
- Seam Security: Properly seal edges to prevent filling leakage during baking.
Make-Ahead and Storage Advice for your Pear Cream Cheese Strudel
- Preparation: Assemble the strudel ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Storage: Leftovers placed in an airtight container at room temperature will last up to two days,
Healthful Considerations
Moderation and Enjoyment
While indulgent, savoring a slice of pear cream cheese strudel as an occasional treat can be part of a balanced diet.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Lighter Options: Use reduced-fat cream cheese or substitute with Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.
- Natural Sweeteners: For a more wholesome alternative, replace refined sugar with alternatives like honey or maple syrup.
Conclusion: Easy Elegant Pear Cream Cheese Strudel
Prepare to be amazed by the simplicity and elegance of this Pear Cream Cheese Strudel recipe. With minimal effort, you’ll create a dessert that will captivate your family and friends, leaving them delighted and craving more. This versatile treat adapts seamlessly to every season, allowing you to incorporate the freshest fruits throughout the year, making it a timeless addition to your culinary repertoire. Embark on this delightful baking journey and experience firsthand how this strudel is poised to become a cherished favorite in your dessert collection.
Happy Sweet and Delicious Baking!
I recommend this to any beginning baker because of its simplicity of making and the wow factor it will deliver. If you are a new, beginning baker, check out my blog post series called Kitchen Confidence Series here: https://blissfulfoodsplus.com/category/kitchen-confidence/
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
