Toaster Strudels
Toaster Strudels were by far my favorite frozen, processed breakfast food growing up. We didn't get them often, but I really loved the strawberry flavor and the best part was definitely the frosting drizzled on top at the end (and then getting every last drop left over directly in your mouth). Am I right? They are so good!!
I was craving these terrible when I was pregnant. And I did give into the craving a couple of times. But as I was eating them, I thought that these have to be so easy to make at home! So today was a rainy day and I decided to try it out. I used store bought puff pastry dough. My next goal is to make my own puff pastry, but that is for a different rainy day!
Clean, Simple Ingredients for Toaster Strudels
These Toaster Strudels are not all that healthy, I am not going to lie. But I was able to find some really great options for better ingredients to make them a cleaner version of the frozen toaster strudels. I have never made my own puff pastry. It is on my list of things to try but it feels like a good project for a cold wintery day when the world is a little slower. So for now, I am going to share my favorite store bought hack to make these so easy to make!
Cleaner Puff Pastry
Puff Pastry is really easy to find in the grocery store. It is in the freezer or refrigerated section, by the cinnamon rolls! The issue is that a lot of store bought puff pastries have seed oils and other ingredients that are not great. Those are fine for every once in a while, but if you are looking for a cleaner option, I have one for you!
Dufour Classic Puff Pastry has really simple ingredients, no seed oils, and really nothing additional added. I am able to find it at my local Whole Foods Market!
Make your own naturally sweetened filling!
I like to use my own filling for these treats. It is easy to make your own and really super quick! Simply mix together berries, honey, and a little salt in a saucepan and cook them on medium heat for 20 minutes until it thickens. Today's toaster strudels are made with my Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam which is sweetened with honey just because that was what I had on hand was really easy. There are also a lot of great jam options easy to find at the store that have great ingredients in them if you do not want to make your own. Just read the labels!
Customize!
The girls loved the strawberry rhubarb version of these toaster strudels. But my mind is spinning with all of the different flavor options you could do with these! Any fruit jam would be so good in these. But I am also thinking about an egg, sausage, and cheese option! I think that will be next on our list of things to try. Have fun with the flavors and make which ever is your family's favorite! If you do store bought jam, you are only using a few ingredients!
For the icing, I use a semi-thick buttercream frosting. You could most definitely use cream cheese frosting for a different options, I just don't love cream cheese frosting (don't hate me), so I am sticking to the buttercream! Putting the frosting in a small Ziplock bag or piping bag will bring you back to squeezing the icing out of the plastic packet like you are 10 years old again!
You can top these with nothing, or anything! My girls of course wanted to do sprinkles, but pistachios, chocolate chips, or whatever you want would be amazing! You really cannot go wrong.
These toaster strudels are so fun to make and a great thing to do with kids. I hope you enjoy!
Explore more!
Homemade Toaster Strudels
These are a great take on the classic freezer version without the icky ingredients. They are also very satisfying to make!
For the strudels
- 14 ounce puff pastry (thawed to packet instructions (Defour is a great brand))
- 1 cup jam (or jelly, your favorite)
- 1 egg (for brushing)
- all purpose flour (for dusting work surface)
For the icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- salt (just a pinch! )
- sprinkles (optional)
- In a small bowl, make an egg wash by whisking together 1 egg and a splash of water. Set aside.
- Unfold and lay one thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface, leaving the other in the fridge. Gently roll out the puff pastry sheet to seal any seams, retaining the rectangle shape. Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut the puff pastry down the middle, lengthwise, creating two long rectangles. Now, running the short way, cut each rectangle in half, and then cut those half in half so you have eight small rectangles. working with one rectangle at a time, brush the edges with egg wash.
- Spoon 2 tablespoons of jam in the center. Lay another rectangle of puff pastry on top and gently press the edges to seal. Using a fork, press down on all of the edges to crimp and seal them. Repeat these steps with the remaining puff pastry rectangles. Place the strudels on a making sheet lined with parchment paper and brush them with egg wash.
- Place them in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
- Repeat all steps with the second puff pastry sheet.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. After the strudels have been in the fridge for 30 minutes, place them in the preheated oven to bake for 18-20 minutes or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Transfer to a cooling rack to let cool completely.
- While the strudels are cooling, make the icing. Place the powdered sugar, butter, heavy cream, salt, and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, mix on medium speed until extremely smooth and combined completely. Transfer the icing into small Ziplock bags or small piping bags with the tips cut off.
- Pipe the icing onto the cooled strudels, top with sprinkles, and enjoy!