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.
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!
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?
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).
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
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.
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.
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:
- Crepes: these make for a great brunch option. I have a tutorial on how to make crepes here and a banana crepes or nutella crepes recipe
- Parfait: set up some fruit, yogurt flavors, and plenty of granola to serve alongside these toaster strudels
- Muffins: here are a few of our favorites: chocolate muffins, healthy zucchini muffins, banana muffins
- Monkey bread or this fun variation — cinnamon roll monkey bread is always a brunch hit!
- Smoothies: mango smoothie, cherry smoothie, blueberry smoothie, or this green smoothie recipe for everyone!
More desserts:
- Apple Turnover using puff pastry dough
- Fruit Tart reader favorite
- Strawberry Shortcake with homemade biscuits
- Vanilla Cheesecake Bars with berry topping
- Nutella Crepes crepe recipe from a French bakery!

Homemade jam-filled pastries with an easy vanilla glaze. These copycat toaster strudels are so quick and easy to make!
- 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
- 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)
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
Taylor @Food Faith Fitness says
February 11, 2014 at 2:35 amLove toaster strudels! This home made heart version is so adorable!!
chelseamessyapron says
February 11, 2014 at 6:16 pmThanks Taylor!
marcie says
February 11, 2014 at 9:38 amThese are so sweet, Chelsea! I love anything with puff pastry. 🙂
chelseamessyapron says
February 11, 2014 at 6:16 pmI am obsessed with puff pastries 🙂 I even eat them plain sometimes haha! Thanks Marcie 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
February 11, 2014 at 11:20 amGirl, you are awesome. My kids will be begging for these if they spot these pictures. They look amazing!
chelseamessyapron says
February 11, 2014 at 6:15 pmHaha! Thanks so much Melanie 🙂
Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
February 11, 2014 at 12:16 pmI 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
February 11, 2014 at 6:15 pmHaha! Love the not so subtle hint 🙂 I hope he gets you them!
Marti says
February 11, 2014 at 10:52 amSo cute! 🙂
Marti
chelseamessyapron says
February 11, 2014 at 6:15 pmThank you Marti!
Beth @ bethcakes says
February 11, 2014 at 1:48 pmToaster 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
February 11, 2014 at 6:12 pmHaha, that’s too funny! I was so obsessed with them when I was little, and obviously still am ha! Thanks so much Beth!
Kelly says
February 11, 2014 at 1:40 pmThese are adorable Chelsea!
chelseamessyapron says
February 11, 2014 at 6:13 pmThanks Kelly! 🙂
Ashley says
February 11, 2014 at 4:01 pmToaster 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
February 11, 2014 at 4:46 pmThese look crazy easy to make! And they’re pretty too!
chelseamessyapron says
February 11, 2014 at 6:07 pmThank you!
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
February 11, 2014 at 5:59 pmThese 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
February 11, 2014 at 6:06 pmYou are so awesome Jessica, thanks! I love your blog as well 🙂 And totally agree – homemade strawberry jam is the best!
[email protected] says
February 11, 2014 at 7:06 pmLast 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
February 11, 2014 at 9:23 pmThese are super cute!
Dina says
February 12, 2014 at 7:29 amthe strawberry filling looks amazing. they are so cute!
Jill says
February 12, 2014 at 9:17 amSaw 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
February 13, 2014 at 8:10 pmThank you Jill! And thanks for the pin 🙂
[email protected] says
February 13, 2014 at 3:27 pmThese are adorable and I love how simple they look to make! Looks like a perfect Valentine’s Day breakfast treat!!
chelseamessyapron says
February 13, 2014 at 8:02 pmThanks Renee! 🙂
ALEX says
February 13, 2014 at 6:01 pmoh…I have eaten so many toaster strudels in my day! irresistible! I need to make these…and not eat them all!
[email protected] says
February 14, 2014 at 2:14 amWish I had a few to snack on right now!
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
February 14, 2014 at 11:41 amThese are absolutely fun and gorgeous! Perfect for today on Vday… sharing on Fb this morning!
Natashalh says
February 15, 2014 at 9:29 pmThese 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
February 17, 2014 at 9:15 pmOh 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
February 17, 2014 at 12:35 amOh, 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
April 9, 2014 at 2:01 pmin 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
April 11, 2014 at 11:22 pmOh you are so sweet, thank you so much! I hope you and your grandchildren love them 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend with them!
PETER says
November 7, 2019 at 3:36 pmJust made them with the homemade puff pastry dough, absolutely superb. Used Organic Maine blueberry jam instead turned out awesome. Thank you!
Chelsea Lords says
November 7, 2019 at 7:06 pmWow that sounds delicious! Glad these were great; thanks for the comment!