Chocolate-Hazelnut-Banana Strudel

Submitted by GeeWhiz

"Chocolate lovers rejoice! The coffee whipped cream pairs well with the chocolate and bananas, adds an extra spice layer, and is more sophisticated than plain whipped cream. Please use the best chocolate you can find! This can be made ahead of time and frozen, unbaked. Recommended Wines: Moscatel Emilin Lustau, Xerez, Spain; 2002 Domaine de la Casa Blanca, Banyuls, France; Commandaria St. John, Cyprus; Domaine de la Rectorie Banyuls 1998; Banyuls Rimage Dr. Parcé, France."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 30mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Yields: 2 Streudels
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups hazelnuts, preferably with skins removed
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 8 1⁄2 ounces chocolate, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 large eggs
• 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 8 -10 sheets phyllo dough, thawed
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 3 bananas, sliced on the bias 1/4-inch thick

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Toss hazelnuts, confection-ers’ sugar, and salt with a splash of water in a bowl.
3. Transfer nut mix to a baking sheet, and toast for 8 minutes, until the nuts take a bit of color; Chop the nuts coarsely.
4. Melt chocolate with vanilla, 1/4 cup water, and a pinch of salt in a double-boiler over medium-low, and set aside.
5. In a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, mix the eggs and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot.
6. Remove the bowl and whip until the mixture triples in volume, about 5 to 6 minutes.
7. Fold the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture, followed by the whipped cream; Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.
8. Spread one sheet of filo on a clean, dry work surface, and brush with melted butter to cover.
9. Sprinkle with some of the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and place another sheet of filo on top of the first, and press to adhere.
10. Repeat with the butter and sugar, but toss on a few hazelnuts as well.
11. Top with another sheet of filo, and repeat with the butter and sugar.
12. Add the fourth sheet of filo, and cover the remaining sheets with a damp towel.
13. Working with the long side of the filo facing you, spoon half the chocolate mixture over its length, about 1/2 inch from the bottom, leaving a 11/2-inch border at either end.
14. Sprinkle half the hazelnuts on top of the chocolate, then half the banana slices over the nuts.
15. Fold the bottom edge of the filo over on itself.
16. Fold in on the sides to form a thicker border all around.
17. Gently roll the filo on top of the choco-late, until you reach the end of the sheet.
18. Place the roll, seam side down, on a baking sheet and Brush the filo with butter and sprinkle with sugar.
19. Repeat for a second streudel.
20. Bake the streudels for about 20 minutes, rotating the pan once during baking, until the filo is golden and the filling puffs up.
21. Some filling may leak out, but don’t worry, the streudels will still be delicious.
22. Let the streudels rest for 10 minutes, or until slightly cooled. Slice them on a bias, about 2 to 2 1/2 inches thick, and serve with coffee whipped cream.
23. (Streudels can be made ahead of time and frozen, unbaked. Thaw 30 minutes before baking.)

24. Coffee Whipped Cream:

25. 1 cup heavy cream.
26. 1 1/2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar.
27. 1 tablespoon instant espresso.
28. Whisk the cream in a bowl, and as it starts to stiffen, add sugar and espresso.
29. Continue whisking until medium peaks form.