Strudel Surprise!

Rita~'s Note:

This is filled with a Rich Creamy Cheese, Pistachio,Almond and a Raisin mixture.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 15

Yield: 2.0 strudels

Dough

• 1 cup milk , room temperature
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup butter , softened
• 4 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons rapid-rise active dry yeast

Filling

• 8 ounces cream cheese (or farmers cheese)
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 lemons, zest of or 1 orange, zest of
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup pistachios , peeled
• ½ cup raisins , re-hydrated in water (Dried Cranberries, Dried blueberries are great choice as well)

Layer Filling

• 2 tablespoons butter , melted
• ½ cup ground almonds (finely crushed almond cookies works)

Rolling

• confectioners' sugar

Directions:

1. Pour dough ingredients into bread machine.
2. Keep the yeast, salt and sugar separate. According to you machine directions.
3. Set on dough cycle.
4. Mean while mix the cheese, yolks, zest, and vanilla. Stir in the pistachio and raisins. Chill till ready to use.
5. Grease baking sheet pan. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
6. When dough cycle is finished, place to dough on a lightly powdered sugared surface.
7. Punch down dough and roll into 2 - 14 by 10 inch rectangle.
8. Brush each dough with melted butter and sprinkle with almonds.
9. Spread 1/2 the cheese mixture leaving an edge.
10. Roll into 2 jelly rolls.
11. Place on baking sheet pan cover with plastic wrap and rise for 30 minutes.
12. Egg wash the tops and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and or nuts.
13. Serve warm.

Reviews

[Linda's Busy Kitchen]

The recipe does not tell you how long to bake it, only says to set the oven to 375. After rising for 1/2 hr. I baked in the preheated 375 degree oven for 40 minutes. Use this as a guide when you make yours, but start watching it at 30 in case your oven bakes hot. The flavor of the strudel was awesome, and I really loved the nuts!!! I will make this time and again now that I have it. Made for Newest Zaar Tag 2/09 Linda