Cheese and Cherry Strudel
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 ounces farmer's cheese, at room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 cup sugar, plus more for the top
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 (16-ounce) can cherry pie filling
- 3 sheets phyllo pastry, thawed overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, kept moist
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and finely chopped
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), blend the cream cheese until soft and smooth.
- Add the farmer's cheese and continue to blend.
- Add the egg and mix.
- Add 1/2 cup of the sugar and the vanilla.
- Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip (or just set aside in a bowl).
- Transfer 1 sheet of phyllo to the prepared pan.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the phyllo with butter.
- Sprinkle with 1/3 of the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/3 of the ground walnuts.
- Repeat with the 2 remaining sheets of phyllo--reserving the some melted butter and nuts for the top, once rolled.
- Turn the sheet pan so that the phyllo is horizontal to your body.
- Two inches in from the left-hand edge of the phyllo, working from top to bottom and leaving 2 inches bare at the top and bottom, pipe or spoon a 3/4 inch thick line of cream cheese mixture.
- Alongside the cream cheese, pour the cherry pie filling.
- Turn the sheet pan a quarter turn and, starting at the edge the fillings are near, roll up the pastry to encase the filling.
- Keep rolling to form a log.
- Move the log to the center of the sheet pan and tuck the ends under to keep the filling from oozing out.
- Brush the surface with melted butter and sprinkle with remaining sugar and nuts.
- Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
- Let cool 10 to 15 minutes on the pan.
- Using a serrated knife, cut carefully into sections and serve warm.
cream cheese, s cheese, egg, sugar, vanilla, cherry pie filling, phyllo pastry, unsalted butter, walnuts
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cheese-and-cherry-strudel-recipe.html (may not work)