Sour Cherry and Poppy Seed Strudel
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus 1 tablespoon melted butter, for brushing
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons plain dry bread crumbs
- 2 cups drained pitted sour cherries (known as morello), packed in light syrup, patted dry
- Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
- In a food processor, combine the cream cheese with the 1 stick of butter, 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar, the vanilla and salt and process until smooth.
- Add the 2 cups of flour and pulse just until a sticky dough forms.
- Scrape the dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap and shape into a rectangle; wrap up the dough and refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.
- In a spice grinder, pulse the poppy seeds with the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar until the seeds are just cracked.
- Transfer the poppy seeds to a small bowl and stir in the bread crumbs.
- Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a floured work surface, dust the dough with flour.
- Roll out the dough to an 11-by-15-inch rectangle and carefully transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
- Freeze the dough until firm, about 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400.
- Working on the baking sheet, cut the dough in half crosswise so you have two 11 1/2-by-7 1/2-inch rectangles and brush off any excess flour.
- Spoon half of the poppy seed mixture in a lengthwise stripe down the middle of each piece of dough, then arrange the cherries on top.
- Fold one side of the dough up and over the filling and brush with some of the melted butter.
- Fold the opposite side of the dough up and over the filling and press gently to help it adhere.
- Cut 4 slits across the top of each strudel and freeze until well-chilled, about 15 minutes.
- Bake the 2 strudels in the center of the oven for about 40 minutes, until the crust is browned and the filling is bubbling.
- Let cool completely.
- Dust with confectioners' sugar, slice the strudel and serve.
cream cheese, unsalted butter, sugar, vanilla, salt, flour, poppy seeds, bread crumbs, sour cherries, confectioners
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/sour-cherry-and-poppy-seed-strudel (may not work)