Ingredients
Method
for the pastry dough
- Combine the flours, sugar and salt.
- Cut the butter and cream cheese into 1 inch cubes.
- Using a stand mixer mix add the butter and cream cheese into the flours and mix until a ball forms.
- Divide into 3 separate balls and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
for the cherry filling
- Combine the cherries and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally but keeping your eye on it.
- Sprinkle the corn starch over the mixture and use a whisk to break up any clumps. Let simmer and thicken for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in salt and almond extract.
- Remove from heat and let cool before spreading onto pastry. This can be made in advance and refrigerated for a few days.
assembling strudel
- Grease a sheet pan and preheat oven to 350.
- Remove one of the balls of dough from the fridge and let stand at room temp for 5 minutes. As it rests, flour a surface and get out a rolling pin.
- Roll out the dough into a 10 x 8 rectangle.
- Add 1/3 of the cherry filling and spread over the top. Sprinkle the top of the filling with about a tablespoon of almond flour.
- Starting at the long edge roll the pasty into a large roll (not as tight as a cinnamon roll). Use a touch of water to pinch the seam and ends together to seal.
- Place the strudel on a greased baking sheet and refrigerate.
- Repeat with remaining 2 pastry balls and jam. Freeze or bake off (only put 2 on a baking sheet at a time).
- Place 1 or 2 of the strudels on a baking sheet together.
- Whisk the egg and use a pastry brush to brush some egg onto the pastry.
- Sprinkle the pastry with almonds then use a sharp knife to make a few diagonal slits in the top of the pastry.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- Let cool then sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- To serve, cut crosswise into six pieces.
Notes
Strudels may be made then frozen before baking or you may freeze the dough and make the jam in advance.