Heart-shaped homemade toaster strudels made with puff pastry dough, strawberry jam, and spreadable cream cheese. These toaster strudels are coated in a vanilla-flavored sugared glaze.
Growing up toaster strudels were a very rare treat at our house which, of course, made them all the more desirable. My mom had to limit how much each of us would get. Because if she didn’t, I think every single one of us could have polished off a box. In one sitting.
Toaster strudels were special occasion treats that we always looked forward to. And seeing as Friday is a special occasion of sorts (Valentine’s Day!) I thought that homemade toaster strudels were definitely in line to be made.
Making (and sharing) homemade toaster strudels has been on the “blog list” for quite some time now. I’m super excited to finally share them with you all. Especially because I’m pretty obsessed with them. Homemade toaster strudels = sooooo much better than store bought. And I didn’t even know that was possible!
I found the puff pastries in the frozen section of my grocery store. (By the ice cream and cool whip kind of area.) So, since these are frozen, make sure to thaw them out in the fridge overnight or leave them at room temperature for about 45 minutes before you are ready to start.
Once the puff pastries are thawed, you can unroll them from the package (on a lightly floured surface) and cut out your shapes. You can cut out squares like a traditional toaster strudel, or for a special Valentine’s breakfast, use heart-shaped cookie cutters!
Next comes the filling part. I made a homemade jam filling, but I also tried a store-bought strawberry jam filling. Both were great so you can decide which you want to do/have the time for.
If you are doing the homemade jam, chop up some strawberries. Just over a cup’s worth so that when they are all chopped they fill up one full cup. Add a cup of sugar and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Then increase the heat to high, and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil, stirring often, for about 2-3 minutes. Return the heat to low. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch + water and mix, and then add to the jam mixture. Remove the jam from the heat and let stand for about 10-15 minutes.
Once that jam is ready to go, spread some cream cheese on the hearts (about half a teaspoon worth) and then cover the cream cheese with a scant half a tablespoon of the jam.
Cover the heart with another heart and crimp the edges with a fork. Put the heart-shaped strudels on a pan and paint some egg whites over the top. They get baked for about 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned all over.
While the strudels are busy baking, the glaze can be made. Just a simple 4 ingredients (powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cream cheese, and milk). The glaze gets spread over the hot strudels and they are ready to be devoured!
How crazy simple are homemade toaster strudels?! And surely a treat to please for Valentine’s Day. Or even a special breakfast for the ones you love!
- 1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry dough, (found in the freezer aisle with frozen desserts
- 5 tablespoons seedless strawberry jam
- spreadable cream cheese plain or strawberry flavored
- 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon spreadable cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
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Let the puff pastry dough thaw out (if desired you can make your own puff pastry dough)
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
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Roll out the pastry dough and cut in rectangles or into heart-shapes.
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On the cut out pastries, spread about 1/2 teaspoon cream cheese and then 2 teaspoons strawberry jam on top. Don't spread around the jam; keep it mostly in the center.
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Lightly top the pastry with jam and cream cheese with another pastry with another pastry being careful to not push the second pastry on top. Don't press the two together at all, but rather use a fork to just crimp together the edges. If you press them together you will get jam seeping out.
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With a fork, lightly beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Lightly brush the tops of the pastries with the egg wash.
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Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. (Don't worry they puff up big and deflate as they cool)
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Meanwhile, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream cheese. Beat and slowly add the heavy cream until you've reached desired consistency.
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Spread the frosting/glaze over slightly cooled toaster strudels.
Taylor @Food Faith Fitness says
Love toaster strudels! This home made heart version is so adorable!!
chelseamessyapron says
Thanks Taylor!
marcie says
These are so sweet, Chelsea! I love anything with puff pastry. 🙂
chelseamessyapron says
I am obsessed with puff pastries 🙂 I even eat them plain sometimes haha! Thanks Marcie 🙂
Marti says
So cute! I love the heart shaped version! 🙂
Marti
chelseamessyapron says
Thank you Marti!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Girl, you are awesome. My kids will be begging for these if they spot these pictures. They look amazing!
chelseamessyapron says
Haha! Thanks so much Melanie 🙂
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
I was just telling my boyfriend on Sunday that if he ever wanted to make a morning special, sneak out and buy some of the fruit and cream cheese pop tarts to make for breakfast. Love!
chelseamessyapron says
Haha! Love the not so subtle hint 🙂 I hope he gets you them!
Kelly says
These are adorable Chelsea! Love that you made home made toaster strudels – especially heart shaped ones! The jam filling sounds awesome and these are super pretty and perfect for breakfast on Valentine’s Day 🙂
chelseamessyapron says
Thanks Kelly! 🙂
Beth @ bethcakes says
Toaster strudels were definitely a treat when I was younger too. We actually never had them at my house, but when I would sleepover at some of my friends’ houses, it was always exciting when they had them. Haha. 🙂 I think I would always have to make them heart-shaped because they’re just too cute! These would be such a treat on Valentine’s Day!
chelseamessyapron says
Haha, that’s too funny! I was so obsessed with them when I was little, and obviously still am ha! Thanks so much Beth!
Ashley says
Toaster strudels were a treat at our house too growing up! These are making me all nostalgic : ) I love that you did a homemade version – and I mean you certainly can’t go wrong with puff pasty! These look perfect Chelsea!
wokandspoon says
These look crazy easy to make! And they’re pretty too!
chelseamessyapron says
Thank you!
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
These are too cute! I swear, I’m in love with your blog. I’ve made homemade strawberry jam and I know it’s amazing. Love how easy you made these toaster strudels!
chelseamessyapron says
You are so awesome Jessica, thanks! I love your blog as well 🙂 And totally agree – homemade strawberry jam is the best!
[email protected] says
Last night I was seriously thinking that a homemade toaster strudel would be so good! Glad you did all the hard work for me and figured out a recipe. Especially a strawberry version – my fave!
Mimi @ Culinary Couture says
These are super cute!
Dina says
the strawberry filling looks amazing. they are so cute!
Jill says
Saw you over at Buns in my Oven today. I am pinning and will definitely try these. My children will flip for them! Thanks for sharing 🙂
chelseamessyapron says
Thank you Jill! And thanks for the pin 🙂
[email protected] says
These are adorable and I love how simple they look to make! Looks like a perfect Valentine’s Day breakfast treat!!
chelseamessyapron says
Thanks Renee! 🙂
ALEX says
oh…I have eaten so many toaster strudels in my day! irresistible! I need to make these…and not eat them all! I love how you made them heart shaped!
chelseamessyapron says
I have eaten wayyy too many in my day. Including basically this whole batch haha! thanks Alex 🙂
[email protected] says
I am in love with these little heart toaster strudels!! Seriously wish I had a few to snack on right now!
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
These are absolutely fun and gorgeous! Perfect for today on Vday… sharing on Fb this morning!
Natashalh says
These are awesome looking! We never really had any variety of toaster strudel type product when I was a kid. I think the first time I even had one I was in 2nd grade at a friend’s house! I love that these use puff pastry – I live in Hawaii and there’s no AC, so sometimes making my own pastry gets tricky.
chelseamessyapron says
Oh yeah, that would be super tricky without AC! I have to say, I am pretty jealous that you are in Hawaii. I’m dying for some warm weather! haha
Amy @ So There. by Amy says
Oh, I love more healthful, natural versions of store bought treats!
These look amazing!
Stopping by from the Will Cook for Smiles Link Party 🙂
Thank for sharing!
mary williams says
in all my 76 years of recipe collecting I have never seen a strudel recipe like this, I intend making them this week end for my grandchildren and myself of course. love your recipes. nana
chelseamessyapron says
Oh you are so sweet, thank you so much! I hope you and your grandchildren love them 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend with them!