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Toaster Strudels

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Homemade jam-filled pastries with an easy vanilla glaze. These copycat toaster strudels are so quick and easy to make!

If serving these toaster strudels for a fun breakfast or brunch be sure to pair them with some savory options such as this quiche lorraine, sausage veggie hash, or this ham and cheese quiche.

Image of the toaster strudels stacked on top of each other with fresh strawberries

Gretchen Weiner’s father, the inventor of Toaster Strudels, would be happy to know that toaster strudels were one of my favorite treats growing up. My mom didn’t buy them too often, but when she did my siblings and I all went crazy over them.

Nowadays they don’t taste near as good as I had remembered, but I’ll admit I still love them. And this (semi) homemade version is the best!

Process shot-- Image of the puff pastry sheet being cut up into 6 slices for these homemade toaster strudels

For one, these homemade ones are a lot bigger, but more importantly you can add as much glaze as you want. Which is important, if, as a child, you spent more time squeezing every ounce of the icing out of the packet than actually eating the toaster strudel

…or was that just me?

Process shot-- Image of the strawberry jam that goes in these toaster strudels

Puff pastry dough

I mentioned these are semi-homemade because we do start with store bought puff pastry dough. If you’re super ambitious, you can make puff pastry from scratch.

The puff pastry I recommend in this recipe can be found in the freezer section of your grocery store. It’s a little tricky to find sometimes, so use a store app if your grocery store has one. I like pepperidge farm puff pastry dough sheets (click to see a visual; not sponsored).

Process shot-- image of the puff pastry pieces having jam added to the center

Toaster strudel filling

Once you have the dough, it’s just about the filling and icing! For the filling, I like combining two different jams for a berry flavored toaster strudel. 

I recommend seedless jam for a better eating experience. 

Other flavor options: blueberry jam, blackberry jam, orange marmalade, cherry or apple pie filling, a few tablespoons Nutella, chocolate spread, or peanut butter, lemon curd

Process shot-- Image of the egg wash being added to the sides of the puff pastry to seal the layers for these toaster strudels

Toaster strudel variation ideas

  • Add cream cheese: a smear of cream cheese before adding the jam would be delicious. I recommend using spreadable cream cheese.
  • Top with frosting: such as this cream cheese frosting or use a chocolate buttercream if adding Nutella or a chocolate spread inside!
  • Add some spices: add some cinnamon and nutmeg for a good flavor variation.

Process shot-- image of the puff pastry layers being sealed with a fork pushing down the edges

Toaster strudel tips

  • Wait to add icing to the pastries until they’ve cooled down a bit. Right out of the oven the icing will melt too much and turn into a mess!
  • Press down the pastries: don’t be alarmed, but while these bake and right out of the oven they are HUGE. Let them slightly cool for about a minute before gently pressing them down. They also deflate even more as they cool.
  • Crimp well: make sure to crimp tightly and keep the jam well away from the edges — this ensures you won’t have jam seeping out of the dough.
  • Bake on parchment paper or a silpat liner: not only does this help the toaster strudels bake better, it also ensures you won’t have a mess if the filling does happen to seep out.

Image of two toaster strudels stacked on top of each other with icing dripping and fresh strawberries

Brunch spread

I mentioned a few savory options to pair these toaster strudels with, but if you’re looking to do an entire brunch spread for a baby/bridal shower or similar event I’ve got a few more ideas:

Image of the freshly baked toaster strudels stacked on top of each other with a bite out of the top one

More desserts:

5 from 1 vote
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Toaster Strudels
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Chilling Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

Homemade jam-filled pastries with an easy vanilla glaze. These copycat toaster strudels are so quick and easy to make!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Toaster Strudels
Servings: 6 toaster strudels
Calories: 531 kcal
Ingredients
Toaster Strudels
  • 1 package (17.3 ounces) Puff Pastry Sheets (I get Pepperidge Farm, found in freezer section of grocery store)
  • 1/3 cup SEEDLESS strawberry jam
  • 1/3 cup SEEDLESS raspberry jam (or just use another 1/3 cup strawberry)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk
Icing
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk (or half and half, do not use a lower fat milk)
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla bean paste (or 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • 1-2 drops almond extract, optional
  • Tiny pinch fine sea salt, optional (to balance)
Instructions

  1. PREP: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat liner and set aside. Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions. In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry jam, raspberry jam, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside. In another bowl whisk together the egg and milk with a fork until smooth. Set aside.

  2. ASSEMBLE: Place 1 sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut into 6 equal rectangles. Spoon 1 and 1/2 tablespoon of the jam mixture over top of 3 of the rectangles, leaving about a half an inch rim all along the edges uncoated (see photos). With your fingertip, lightly brush the (uncovered with jam) edges with the egg mixture. Place remaining puff pastry rectangles over jam coated puff pastry and using the tines of a fork, press all the edges to seal. Transfer those 3 pastries to the prepared pan and in the fridge while preparing the rest. Repeat the process with the other sheet of puff pastry. Add the last 3 assembled pastries to the tray in the fridge and chill for 10 minutes.

  3. BAKE: Brush tops of each strudel lightly with egg and milk mixture. Bake until golden brown, about 18-22 minutes or until golden brown on top and cooked through. (Don't be alarmed, they puff up very high!) Remove and, using a metal spatula, transfer to a cooling rack. Wait 2-3 minutes and then gently press down the pastries (holding all four corners) to deflate a bit. Let cool until warm and then drizzle icing on top (see next step).

  4. ICING: For the icing, whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Add more milk to thin icing IF needed (be patient stirring though, it takes a minute to come together).. Transfer to a small plastic bag and cut the tip off. Drizzle over warm pastries. Enjoy while warm.

Nutrition facts in toaster strudels

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Comments

    • I am obsessed with puff pastries 🙂 I even eat them plain sometimes haha! Thanks Marcie 🙂

      Reply

  6. 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!

    Reply

    • Haha, that’s too funny! I was so obsessed with them when I was little, and obviously still am ha! Thanks so much Beth!

      Reply

  8. 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!

    Reply

    • You are so awesome Jessica, thanks! I love your blog as well 🙂 And totally agree – homemade strawberry jam is the best!

      Reply

  11. 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!

    Reply

  14. 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 🙂

    Reply

  19. 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.

    Reply

    • 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

      Reply

  21. 5 stars
    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

    Reply

    • Oh you are so sweet, thank you so much! I hope you and your grandchildren love them 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend with them!

      Reply

  22. Just made them with the homemade puff pastry dough, absolutely superb. Used Organic Maine blueberry jam instead turned out awesome. Thank you!

    Reply

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