Best Pear Strudel Recipes

PEAR STRUDEL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine the pie crust mix and 1/3 cup cold apple cider until it forms a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill one hour in the refrigerator.
• Peel and core the pear and chop into approximately 1/2 inch pieces, (reserve 1 cup for Round 2 Recipe Cabbage and Pear Slaw, toss with a splash of lemon juice to prevent browning)
• In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice. When it is melted, add the pears. Cook until the pears are slightly softened and the liquid thickens, about 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool.
• On a floured surface or on parchment paper, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch-by-10-inch rectangle. Spread the cooled pear mixture in the middle of the rectangle, fold in the short ends, and roll the crust over enclosing the pear mixture. Place the strudel, seam side down, onto a baking sheet.
• In a small bowl beat the egg with a tablespoon of water. In another small bowl mix together the remaining 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and sugar. Brush the strudel with the egg wash and sprinkle with half the spiced sugar. Make five small slits on top to let the steam escape. Bake until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes.
• When you are ready to serve, whip the cream with the remaining pumpkin pie spice and sugar mixture. Serve the strudel topped with whipped cream.

GINGERED PEAR STRUDEL

Steps:

• In a saucepan large enough to hold all the pears snugly, combine the water, sugar, ginger root, and vanilla bean. Stir over low heat until the sugar has dissolved and then increase the heat so that the liquid is simmering. Add the pears and poach them for 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally so that they are evenly covered by the syrup. The pears should be tender enough so that they can be easily pierced with a toothpick, and the cooking time will depend on their ripeness. Let cool, and refrigerate.
• In a food processor, process the almonds and the sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and flatly ground. Do not overprocess.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Sift the almond powder and the flour over the top and combine to beat until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing the first one in thoroughly before adding the second. Add the rum and mix in thoroughly.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and lightly oil a large baking sheet. Halve the poached pears and scoop out the cores. Slice each half pear thinly lengthwise and set aside, keeping together in their original shape. Unroll the phyllo and cut it into 4-inch wide stacks. Separate the leaves of pastry and lay one single strip on the counter. Brush it with melted butter, and continue until you have a stack of 6 strips, buttering each one. Repeat until you have 6 stacks of buttered phyllo strips. Using a spatula, spread a layer of almond cream 1/4-inch thick on the top layer of each phyllo stack. Slightly fan out a pear half on one end of each stack and roll the stack over about 1 1/2 times to form a flat strudel package. Brush the outside of the strudel with butter, and repeat with the remaining 5 pear halves and phyllo stacks. Transfer the strudels to the baking sheet. (at this point the strudels could be refrigerated for up to 12 hours before cooking)
• Bake the strudels for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Cut them in half and place with cut sides up in the center of each of 6 dessert plates. Place a scoop of chocolate sorbet on the side and serve it at once

PEAR-GINGER STRUDEL WITH GINGER-CUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• For sauce:
• Bring cream, milk, and ginger to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove pan from heat; steep 15 minutes. Whisk yolks and sugar in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in warm cream mixture; return mixture to saucepan. Stir over medium heat until custard thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 8 minutes; do not boil. Strain sauce into medium bowl; mix in vanilla. Cover; chill until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.
• For filling:
• Whisk 1 cup sugar, cornstarch, and mace to blend in small bowl. Whisk cookie crumbs and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in another small bowl to blend. Set both mixtures aside.
• Melt 1/4 cup butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add dried pears and pear brandy. Cover and simmer until brandy is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Mix in fresh pears and lemon peel. Sauté until pears are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture. Bring to boil and cook until filling thickens, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes; cool completely.
• Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Place 1 phyllo sheet on work surface (keep remaining phyllo covered with damp towel). Brush phyllo with melted butter. Top with second phyllo sheet; brush with butter and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon gingersnap crumb mixture. Repeat with 5 more phyllo sheets, butter and crumb mixture. Top with phyllo (8 sheets total); brush with butter. Starting 2 inches in from 1 long side and 21/2 inches in from 1 short side, spoon half of filling in 3-inch-wide by 12-inch-long log parallel to long side. Fold short sides over ends of filling; butter folded edges. Fold nearest long side of phyllo over filling and roll up strudel, enclosing filling. Transfer strudel to prepared sheet, seam side down. Brush with butter. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make second strudel. Place on same sheet, spacing 3 inches from first strudel. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake strudels until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Cut each on diagonal into 6 slices and serve warm or at room temperature with cold ginger sauce.

PEAR, CHOCOLATE & MARZIPAN STRUDEL

Steps:

• Melt a knob of butter in a large frying pan, add the pears and 1 tbsp sugar, and cook for 5 mins. Tip into a bowl and leave to cool. Then add the Disaronno (if using), biscuits, cinnamon, chocolate, marzipan, and 2 tbsp sugar and mix well.
• Line a tray with baking parchment. Lay a sheet of filo on it, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with a little sugar. Top with a second sheet of filo and keep going until you've used all the pastry. Pile the filling down one of the long sides of the pastry, then roll it up to form a sausage. Make sure it is seam-side down, then tuck the ends under tightly. Roll up in the parchment, wrap tightly in foil and freeze.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put a tray in the oven to heat. Unwrap the strudel and place, seam-side down and still on its parchment, onto the tray. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle over 1 tbsp sugar. Bake for 35-40 mins, or until golden and crisp. Leave to cool for 10 mins, then dust with icing sugar.

APPLE-PEAR STRUDEL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon zest and nutmeg. Add the apples, pears and extracts; toss to coat., Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface; lightly brush with butter. (Keep remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.) Layer with seven more sheets of phyllo, brushing each layer with some of the butter., Spoon apple mixture lengthwise over phyllo within 2 in. of a long side; fold in edges. Roll up, starting from the long side., Place seam side down in a parchment-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. With a sharp knife, cut diagonal slits in top of strudel. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

APPLE PEAR STRUDEL WITH DRIED FRUIT AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment.
• Place the dried fruit in a bowl and pour on hot or boiling water to cover. Let sit 5 minutes, and drain. Toss the apples with the lemon juice.
• Heat a large, heavy frying pan over high heat and add 2 tablespoons butter. Wait until it becomes light brown and carefully add the apples and the sugar. Do not add the apples until the pan and the butter are hot enough, or they won't sear properly and retain their juice. But be careful when you add them so that the hot butter doesn't splatter. When the apples are brown on one side, add the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and almonds, flip the apples and continue to sauté until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the pears and dried fruit, then scrape out onto one of the lined sheet pans and allow to cool completely. Divide into two equal portions (easiest to do this if you weigh it).
• Place 8 sheets of phyllo dough on your work surface. Cover with a dish towel and place another, damp dish towel on top of the first towel. Place a sheet of parchment on your work surface horizontally, with the long edge close to you. Lay a sheet of phyllo dough on the parchment. Brush lightly with butter and top with the next sheet. Continue to layer all eight sheets, brushing each one with butter before topping with the next one.
• Brush the top sheet of phyllo dough with butter. Sprinkle on half of the almond powder (50 grams). With the other half, create a line 3 inches from the base of the dough, leaving a 2 1/2-inch margin on the sides. Top this line with one portion of the fruit mixture. Fold the bottom edge of the phyllo up over the filling, then fold the ends over and roll up like a burrito. Using the parchment paper to help you, lift the strudel and place it on the other parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with butter and make 3 or 4 slits on the diagonal along the length of the strudel. Repeat with the other sheets of phyllo to make a second strudel. If you are freezing one of them, double-wrap tightly in plastic.
• Place the strudel in the oven and bake 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, brush again with butter, rotate the pan and return to the oven. Continue to bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature.

CARAMELIZED PEAR STRUDEL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add pears and cranberries; toss gently to coat. In a large nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add fruit mixture; cook and stir for 7-8 minutes or until cranberries pop. Stir in dried cranberries, ginger, orange zest and cinnamon. Cool., Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat the foil with cooking spray; set aside. Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface; coat with cooking spray. Repeat layers five times. (Keep phyllo dough covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel until ready to use each sheet.), Spread cranberry mixture over dough to within 1 in. of edges. Fold in sides. Roll up, starting at a long side. Place seam side down on prepared baking sheet., Bake 20-23 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

DAS PEAR PINEAPPLE STRUDEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium saute pan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter, add ginger and cook for 1 minute. Add in brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Let cook 2 minutes, then add in fruit, stirring gently to combine. Let cook over medium heat to gently caramelize, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove fruit from pan, reserve sauce in pan. Let fruit cool to room temperature. Place puff pastry dough on baking sheet. Spread fruit out on puff pastry dough, leaving a 2-inch border all around. With the long end closest to you, fold dough into thirds, then repeat ending with the seam down. Pinch short ends closed. Brush with egg yolk.
• Bake until golden brown and crispy, about 20 to 25 minutes. While baking, heat up remaining sauce over medium heat, fortify with rum and 2 tablespoons butter. To serve, remove strudel from oven and slice immediately into 6 pieces. Drizzle some of the sauce on dessert plates. Place strudel slice on top and dust with powdered sugar.

PEAR STRUDEL IN PHYLLO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200C; line a large baking tray with baking paper.
• Combine pears, half the walnuts and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a bowl.
• Place a sheet of pastry onto workbench. Spray with oil. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of breadcrumbs. Top with another layer of pastry.
• Repeat with oil, breadcrumbs and pastry to form 8 layers.
• Spoon peach mixture along one long edge of pastry, leaving a 4cm border at short ends. Fold ends in and roll up. Lift onto prepared tray.
• Brush with egg mixture and sprinkle with remaining sugar, walnuts and cinnamon.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until pastry is golden. Stand for 10 minutes.

PEAR-CRANBERRY STRUDEL

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F.
• Toss pears with the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Set aside to cool, then skim the white foam off the surface and discard. Spoon the melted butter into a bowl, leaving behind the solids at the bottom of the saucepan.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the reserved butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add pear mixture and cook until pears start to give off juices. Add cranberries, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until pears are crisp-tender, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of the bread crumbs; cool the mixture slightly.
• Combine remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with allspice and ginger in a small bowl. Cut a piece of parchment paper slightly longer than the phyllo sheets and lay it with a long edge parallel to you. Set the stack of phyllo sheets beside it and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Transfer one sheet of phyllo to the parchment with a long edge facing you. Brush with some reserved butter and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon each of the nuts and sugar mixture. Repeat with each remaining phyllo, replacing the towel as you work. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons bread crumbs over top sheet of phyllo.
• Spoon the pear mixture across the phyllo about 1 inch from the edge closest to you to make a mound, with a 2-inch border at each end. Using the parchment to help you get started, roll the phyllo tightly over the filling to make a log, seam-side down. Lift the parchment with the strudel onto a baking sheet.
• Bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Transfer on the baking sheet to a rack to cool. Trim ends with a serrated knife. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve warm or at room temperature with creme fraiche or whipped cream, if desired.
• Style: Cut the strudel into thirds, then cut each one of the pieces in half on an angle. This way, you get beautiful portions that stand at attention, showing off the layers and the filling.

PEAR STRUDEL

Steps:

• Thoroughly mix the dried pears with the pecans in a large bowl.
• Add the remaining filling ingredients and mix well.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Lighly grease a baking sheet.
• Lay 1 phyllo sheet on a large sheet of wax paper.
• Brush with the melted margarine and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon crumbs.
• Top with a second sheet of phyllo.
• Brush with margarine and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of crumbs.
• Keep remaining phyllo sheets covered.
• Put half the filling near one long end of the top sheet, arranging it in a log shape and leaving a 1 inch border.
• Starting with that end, carefully roll up the dough as for a jelly roll, using the paper to help support the dough.
• End the roll with the seam on the bottom.
• Transfer the roll to the baking sheet and brush the top with margarine.
• Repeat with the remaining filling and remaining dough.
• Bake 25 minutes or until golden.
• Just before serving the strudel, sprinkle it with confectioners' sugar.
• Serve warm if desired.

PEAR AND GINGER STRUDEL

Steps:

• Prepare the filling first. Melt first measure of butter.
• Add lemon rind and juice, almonds, ginger and sugar.
• Peel and finely slice pears.
• Add to butter mixture and stir gently so that the pear pieces are coated with mixture. Set aside. Melt the second measure of butter.
• Combine ground almonds and ginger.
• Remove filo pastry from packet. Place on a flat surface and cover with plastic wrap so the pastry doesn't dry out. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
• Take the first sheet of filo and place it on the tray.
• Brush pastry with melted butter and sprinkle with some ground almond mixture. Lay another sheet of pastry on top of the first, brush with butter and sprinkle with ground almond mixture. Continue using all the pastry sheets and all the ground almond mixture. On the last sheet of pastry brush butter around edge of pastry in a 4cm-wide strip.
• Position prepared pastry on baking tray so that you have one of the shorter borders near you.
• Place the pear filling on the pastry keeping the mixture 4cm from the sides.
• Cover about two-thirds of pastry with pear filling.
• Fold over the pastry at the end near you; then turn in the sides.
• Roll the strudel away from you, enclosing the filling.
• Try and end with the of the pastry underneath.
• (Do not roll too tightly as the strudel may burst while cooking.) Brush with a little more melted butter.
• Sprinkle the top with sliced almonds and brush with butter again.
• Bake at 180 C for 30 - 35 minutes or until golden brown.
• If pastry starts to dry out during cooking, brush once more with butter.
• Allow to cool 10 minutes on the baking tray before sliding onto a serving plate. Serve hot or cold, dusted with icing sugar and whipped cream.
• (Paulines Notes:---Use a serrated knife to slice the strudel with a gentle saw movement to avoid crumbling the cooked pastry. Assembling the strudel on the baking tray saves moving the strudel from the bench to the baking tray which can be difficult. Filo pastry will keep for weeks in the refrigerator. Make sure the plastic bag that it is in is well sealed.).

VANILLA-SCENTED PEAR STRUDEL WITH HAZELNUTS AND CHOCOLATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Make vanilla sugar:
• Combine sugar and vanilla in processor. Blend until beans are very finely chopped, about 1 minute. Sift vanilla sugar into bowl; discard contents of sieve. Transfer vanilla sugar into jar; cover. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Store at room temperature.)
• Make sauce:
• Combine cream, 1/4 cup water and 3 tablespoons vanilla sugar in medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; whisk until smooth. Whisk in brandy. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm before serving.)
• Make filling:
• Mix 1/4 cup vanilla sugar and cornstarch in bowl. Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pears; sauté until tender and golden, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle cornstarch mixture over pears; stir to blend.
• Simmer until juices are very thick, stirring often, about 6 minutes (longer if pears are very juicy). Remove from heat. Mix in lemon juice. Cool.
• Make strudel and phyllo triangles:
• Finely grind nuts, cookies and 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar in processor. Transfer nut mixture to small bowl.
• Butter 1 baking sheet. Place kitchen towel on work surface. Place 1 phyllo sheet on towel (keep remaining phyllo sheets covered with plastic wrap and damp towel). Brush phyllo with butter. Top with second phyllo sheet; brush with butter.
• Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons nut mixture. Repeat layering with 6 more phyllo sheets, buttering and sprinkling each with 3 tablespoons nut mixture. Top with another phyllo sheet (for a total of 10 sheets); brush with butter.
• Starting 2 inches in from 1 long side and 2 1/2 inches in from 1 short side, spoon filling in 3-inch-wide by 12-inch-long log parallel to 1 long side.
• Fold short sides over filling; butter folded edges.
• Using towel as aid and starting at 1 long side, roll up strudel, enclosing filling.
• Using large spatula, transfer strudel to prepared baking sheet. Brush strudel all over with butter. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Meanwhile, prepare triangles. Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 1 baking sheet. Cut remaining 2 phyllo sheets in half crosswise, making 4 pieces, each about 12 by 8 inches. Place 1 phyllo piece on work surface. Brush phyllo with butter; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon nut mixture and 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar. Repeat layering with 2 more phyllo pieces, buttering and sprinkling each with 1 tablespoon nut mixture and 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar. Top with remaining phyllo piece; brush with butter. Using large knife, trim stack to 12 by 8 inches. Cut stack into six 4-inch squares. Cut squares diagonally in half.
• Transfer triangles to prepared baking sheet. Brush parchment with butter; place buttered side down on triangles. Press 1 baking sheet atop parchment, anchoring triangles.
• Bake triangles until golden, about 10 minutes. Lift off top baking sheet. Carefully remove parchment. Transfer triangles to rack; cool. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Stack baking sheet with strudel atop another baking sheet. Bake strudel until golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let stand at least 15 minutes and up to 4 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Stack baking sheet with strudel atop another baking sheet. Bake strudel until golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let stand at least 15 minutes and up to 4 hours.
• Cut strudel crosswise into 6 to 8 sections. Spoon warm chocolate sauce onto each plate. Place strudel atop sauce. Place scoop of ice cream alongside. Stand triangle between strudel and ice cream. Garnish with mint, if desired, and serve.

PEAR, RHUBARB AND STRAWBERRY STRUDEL - SO EASY!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Use parchment paper on cookie sheet.
• Start to prepare your fruit.
• Peel, core and slice your pears.
• Wash your berries and cut in halve.
• Wash and slice your rhubarb, very thin.
• Saute pears and rhubarb in butter for 1 - 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat to cool.
• Add lime zest, sugar and cinnamon, mix gently.
• Now add the fresh strawberries gently into the mix.
• Roll out the pastry to make 12 x 10" rectangle, on a floured surface.
• If necessary, drain the cooled fruit.
• Place the fruit in the middle of the pastry, horizontally, starting within ½ inch of the top and bottom edges.
• Brush the melted butter on the edges of the pastry and fold over fruit.
• Place seam side down on prepared cookie sheet.
• Slash the top of the strudel every 2 inches.
• Brush the strudel with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle on vanilla sugar.
• Bake in a 425 degree oven for 30 - 35 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
• Allow to cool to room temperature and sprinkle with powdered sugar before cutting.
• Serve plain or with ice cream, whipped cream, Crème Anglais or fresh clotted cream.

PEAR AND RASPBERRY STRUDEL

Steps:

• Heat oven to to 375ºF.
• In a large bowl, combine pears, raspberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup bread crumbs, ginger, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, lemon peel and nutmeg.
• In a small bowl combine the remaining sugar, breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
• On a piece of waxed paper, place one sheet of phyllo.
• Brush with butter, sprinkle with sugar mixture.
• Repeat with remaining sheets.
• Spread fruit mixture on phyllo lengthwise leaving 1" border on all sides.
• Fold in sides and roll jelly roll fashion.
• Place on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
• Brush strudel with butter.
• Optional: for a garnish, take one sheet of phyllo and cut sheet into 2" wide strips.
• Fold each strip lengthwise in half.
• Gather and roll each strip to make rosettes.
• Arrange on top of strudel.
• Bake for 50 minutes or until top is golden and fruit is tender.
• Watch it so it doesn't get too brown.
• Shield with foil if necessary, but don't tuck the foil down around the sides, just lay it on top.
• Otherwise it will get soggy.

APPLE PEAR STRUDEL WITH DRIED FRUIT AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment.
• Place the dried fruit in a bowl and pour on hot or boiling water to cover. Let sit 5 minutes, and drain. Toss the apples with the lemon juice.
• Heat a large, heavy frying pan over high heat and add 2 tablespoons butter. Wait until it becomes light brown and carefully add the apples and the sugar. Do not add the apples until the pan and the butter are hot enough, or they won't sear properly and retain their juice. But be careful when you add them so that the hot butter doesn't splatter. When the apples are brown on one side, add the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and almonds, flip the apples and continue to sauté until golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the pears and dried fruit, then scrape out onto one of the lined sheet pans and allow to cool completely. Divide into two equal portions (easiest to do this if you weigh it).
• Place 8 sheets of phyllo dough on your work surface. Cover with a dish towel and place another, damp dish towel on top of the first towel. Place a sheet of parchment on your work surface horizontally, with the long edge close to you. Lay a sheet of phyllo dough on the parchment. Brush lightly with butter and top with the next sheet. Continue to layer all eight sheets, brushing each one with butter before topping with the next one.
• Brush the top sheet of phyllo dough with butter. Sprinkle on half of the almond powder (50 grams). With the other half, create a line 3 inches from the base of the dough, leaving a 2 1/2-inch margin on the sides. Top this line with one portion of the fruit mixture. Fold the bottom edge of the phyllo up over the filling, then fold the ends over and roll up like a burrito. Using the parchment paper to help you, lift the strudel and place it on the other parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with butter and make 3 or 4 slits on the diagonal along the length of the strudel. Repeat with the other sheets of phyllo to make a second strudel. If you are freezing one of them, double-wrap tightly in plastic.
• Place the strudel in the oven and bake 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, brush again with butter, rotate the pan and return to the oven. Continue to bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature.

ROQUEFORT AND PEAR STRUDEL

Steps:

• For dough:
• Combine 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup warm water, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed 3 minutes (dough will be sticky). Remove strudel dough from bowl and divide in half. Form each dough half into ball; wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate 1 dough ball overnight for strudel; freeze second dough ball for another use.
• For filling:
• Melt 1 1/2 teaspoons butter in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add pears and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Strain pear mixture, discarding juices, then transfer pears to rimmed baking sheet, spacing apart; cool completely. Transfer cooled pears to large bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Add cheese, pecans, flour, and lemon juice to pears and toss gently to combine.
• Place 36x24-inch cotton cloth or clean cotton tablecloth on large work surface; secure all 4 corners to work surface with tape to keep in place. Dust cloth lightly with flour. Unwrap refrigerated strudel dough and place in center of prepared cloth; sprinkle lightly with flour. Using rolling pin, roll out dough as thinly as possible without tearing, dusting dough lightly with flour as needed to prevent sticking.
• Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Slide hands under center of dough and gently pull with palms (not fingers) toward edges, being careful not to tear dough and stretching to thin rectangle. Gently pull dough edges with floured fingertips to form 34x18-inch rectangle. Using sharp knife, trim edges to form 33x17-inch rectangle. Cut dough rectangle lengthwise in half, forming two 33x8 1/2-inch rectangles. Brush each dough rectangle lightly with melted butter, then sprinkle each evenly with 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 tablespoon dried breadcrumbs. Starting 1 inch in from 1 short end of dough, spoon filling crosswise atop each dough rectangle in 1 1/2-inch-wide log, leaving 1-inch plain border on long sides of both rectangles. Starting at edge of cloth closest to filling and using cloth as aid, lift edge of cloth and start rolling up strudel dough (not cloth) over filling, enclosing filling completely and forming 2 strudels. Tuck in short ends of dough and pinch to seal. Transfer strudels to prepared baking sheet. Brush strudels all over with melted butter. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 6 hours.
• Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 375°F. Bake strudels until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Cool strudels on baking sheet 30 minutes.
• Cut strudels crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Test-Kitchen Tip:
• Although only half of the strudel dough is used in this recipe, you'll need to make a full batch of the dough to achieve the best texture. The remaining dough half can be stored airtight in the freezer for up to one month.

PISTACHIO- PEAR STRUDEL

Steps:

• Combine 2 tablespoons of butter, the pears, honey, sherry, cinnamon, cardamom, salt and raisins in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the pears are soft, about 12 minutes.
• Combine the cornstarch and water and stir until smooth. Stir into the pear mixture and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Place in a bowl and stir in the lemon zest, the lemon juice and the coarsely chopped pistachios. Let cool completely.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the finely chopped pistachios and the sugar. Brush a baking sheet with a little melted butter. Place 1 sheet of phyllo on a work surface so the long side is parallel to the edge of the counter, brush lightly with butter and sprinkle with 1/4 of the sugar mixture. Layer with another sheet of phyllo and repeat until you've used up the phyllo and the sugar mixture.
• Starting 5 inches in from the long edge nearest you, spread the pear mixture down the length of the pastry in a 4-inch-wide mound, leaving a 2-inch border at each end. Fold the short ends in over the filling. Fold the side nearest you over the filling. Flip the strudel over until it's wrapped in all the pastry.
• Slide the strudel onto the baking sheet seam side down. Cut 4 small diagonal slits in the top of the pastry. Bake until the phyllo is golden brown, about 45 minutes. Let stand until warm but not hot or serve at room temperature. Sift confectioners' sugar over the top. Cut into slices with a serrated knife and serve.

DIABETIC PEAR STRUDEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425F (220C)Gas Mark 7.
• Use nonstick cookie sheet, spray lightly or cover with parchment paper.
• Peel, core and thinly slice pears.
• Lightly coat a nonstick pan with butter flavored cooking spray. (I just used butter).
• Add the pears and saute for 2 minutes.
• Stir in the zest, juice and sugar substitute. Cook until the pears are just cooked through. Set aside.
• On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry to make a 12 1/2 X 10 1/2 (31.25 x 26.25) inch rectangle.
• Sprinkle almonds on the pastry.
• Drain pears and place down middle third (long way) of the puff pastry to within 1/2 inch (1.25cm) of the top and bottom edge.
• Spray the edges of the pastry and fold each 1/3 side over fruit. I brushed on butter.
• Place seam side down on cookie sheet.
• Make slashes every 2 inches (5 cm).
• Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top.
• Coat with butter flavored cooking spray. If you use melted butter, put on before cinnamon/sugar.
• Bake 25-30 minutes until puffed and brown.
• Allow to cool to room temperature then cut into 8 pieces. Can serve with sugar free icecream or whipped cream.

PEAR STRUDEL

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring water & sugar to a boil. Add the vanilla bean, lemon zest, & ginger. Reduce the heat & simmer the syrup for 10 minutes. Add lemon juice, pears, & vanilla extract/seeds. Cover & poach gently until the pears are soft, ~ 15 min. Regrigerate the pears in the liquid for at least 2 & up to 24 hours. Put the raisins in a small bowl, cover with Cognac, & also let soak in the refrigerator for the same amount of time. Heat oven to 325°F. Toast the almonds until they're golden brown in the center, ~ 12 minutes. Let cool, chop coarsely, & set aside. Increase heat to 400°F. Set the pears in a colander to drain (it's ok to discard syrup). Put a clean, damp dishtowel on the counter & gently lay the phyllo sheets on top. Cover with a second damp towel (to keep the pastry from drying out). Cover your workspace with a piece of parchment slightly larger than the phyllo sheets. Remove two phyllo sheets & lay them on top of the parchment with the longest side facing you. Brush generously with melted butter, & sprinkle with half the toasted, chopped almonds. Lay the other two phyllo sheets on top & repeat. Sprinkle the Amaretti or breadcrumbs in a band about 2 inches wide along the edge closest to you. Arrange the pears on top of the crumbs & sprinkle with the raisins. Starting at the edge closest to you & using the parchment as an aid, gently roll up the strudel & set it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. With a serrated knife, score the top of the strudel at ~ 2-inch intervals. Bake on middle rack of oven for 20 minutes. Lower temperature to 350°F & continue to bake until the pastry is a deep golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Let cool & store at room temp until ready to serve. To serve, reheat in a 350°F oven until warm & then sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.