Cherry Cheesecake Puff Pastry Strudel made with puff pastry is one of the easiest dessert recipes you'll ever make. However, it looks (and tastes) like you spent hours in the kitchen!
For other delicious recipes featuring store bought puff pastry, please check out Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer Cups, Puff Pastry Apple Pie Turnovers, Chicken Pot Pie Turnovers, Pumpkin Spice Palmiers, and Upside Down Bratwurst and Cheese Pastry Appetizers.
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Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredients:
- Ingredient information:
- Necessary kitchen tools and equipment:
- How this recipe came to be:
- How many cherry strudels does this recipe make?
- Can these cherry cheesecake puff pastry strudels be frozen after baking?
- Save this recipe on Pinterest:
- How to properly store (and freeze) cherry cheesecake puff pastry strudel:
- Can strudel be reheated in a microwave oven?
- Will an air fryer work for reheating strudel?
- What is puff pastry?
- What makes puff pastry puffy and flaky?
- Is homemade puff pastry ok to use for this recipe?
- What ingredients are in store-bought puff pastry?
- Is it best to use homemade cherry pie filling for this recipe?
- Can homemade cheesecake filling be used in place of ready-made cheesecake filling?
- Why egg wash the puff pastry before baking?
- Add-in and swap-out suggestions:
- Recommended serving suggestions:
- Additional recipes featuring cherries:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredients:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
Ingredient information:
PUFF PASTRY SHEETS - I used Pepperidge Farm brand puff pastry sheets when I made this recipe. There are two sheets of puff pastry per box, with this particular brand.
If you use a puff pastry brand that comes with only one sheet per package, you may cut the recipe ingredients in half to make just one strudel, or purchase two packages of puff pastry and make the full recipe. The choice is yours.
CHERRY PIE FILLING - The entire reason for this particular recipe (minus the fact that I enjoy a good strudel) was to incorporate my first-ever homemade cherry pie filling into an actual dessert. This cherry cheesecake strudel is the delicious result.
NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE FILLING - This was the first time I've ever used this product, and I was very pleased with its flavor and consistency.
My goal for this recipe was to make it quick and easy, so I mainly used convenience items from the grocery store. However, if you'd like to create your own version of a no-bake cheesecake filling, I've included ideas and suggestions in the ingredient add-in and swap-out category below.
EGG - The egg in this strudel recipe serves two purposes. The beaten egg acts as glue, allowing the pastry pieces to hold together in the oven and prevent the filling from oozing out while baking. Additionally, it gives the pastry a lovely golden brown color when brushed over the entire surface of the strudel before baking.
CONFECTIONERS' SUGAR - This ingredient is completely optional as a garnish, but it adds a simple yet elegant touch to the strudel when it's time for presentation.
ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR - Only a scant amount of flour is needed, and its purpose is to keep the pastry from sticking to the counter during the rolling and shaping process.
Necessary kitchen tools and equipment:
- baking sheets
- parchment paper
- pastry brush
- rolling pin
- spatula
- fork
- kitchen timer
- confectioner's sugar sprinkler (optional)
How this recipe came to be:
My love of cherries had me try my hand at making homemade cherry pie filling. The flavor of that filling was everything I'd hoped for. Subsequently, I was inspired to come up with this incredibly fast and easy cherry strudel. And, in my book, nothing elevates a simple dessert like using puff pastry.
How many cherry strudels does this recipe make?
As written, and using the Pepperidge Farm brand of puff pastry sheets, this recipe yields two cherry strudels, each serving six.
*Note - Please see the ingredient information above if you're using a different brand of puff pastry sheets that doesn't have two per package.
Can these cherry cheesecake puff pastry strudels be frozen after baking?
Yes, they can, but it is essential to follow a few critical steps to ensure the strudels don't get soggy after thawing and will stay crispy after reheating.
Save this recipe on Pinterest:
How to properly store (and freeze) cherry cheesecake puff pastry strudel:
Freezing:
- Allow the strudel to cool completely for at least two hours before wrapping and freezing. Any amount of heat or warmth within the strudel once wrapped will cause condensation under the wrapper, causing a soggy pastry once thawed.
- Wrap each cooled strudel well with two to three layers of plastic wrap, along with an additional layer of aluminum foil for extra moisture protection.
- Label and date the packages with food storage labels.
- Freezing each strudel on a flat surface (by placing the package on a baking sheet and allowing it to freeze until firm) is a great way to prevent crushing and can provide a flat surface in your freezer if space is limited.
- Store the strudel in the freezer for up to three months.
After freezing:
Fully unwrap the strudel and allow it to thaw completely at room temperature. Bake, uncovered, in a preheated 325 degrees F (165 C) oven for 5-7 minutes to retain the strudels crispy texture.
After refrigeration:
Allow the strudel to come to room temperature. Place it on a baking sheet or tray and bake, uncovered, in a preheated 325 degree F (165 C) oven for 5-7 minutes.
Can strudel be reheated in a microwave oven?
It is not recommended, unless you like soggy and tough strudel.
Will an air fryer work for reheating strudel?
Yes, and it will do a wonderful job of keeping the puff pastry flaky and crispy. I recommend setting the air fryer to 300 degrees F (150 C) and baking for 3 minutes.
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What is puff pastry?
Puff pastry is a laminated dough (meaning layers) of very thin layers of dough that puff up during the baking process, turning light and crispy.
What makes puff pastry puffy and flaky?
Thin layers of dough and a fat source (typically butter or oil) are rolled, folded, and rolled (many times) to form layers upon layers of thin pastry.
When the dough is exposed to the heat of the oven, the fat between the layers of dough produces moisture and steam, causing the dough to puff and crisp in layers, hence the term 'lamination.'
Is homemade puff pastry ok to use for this recipe?
Sure, if you're in the mood for a tedious yet gratifying baking project, by all means, make your own puff pastry.
I do have a recipe on my site for Blueberry Cheese Danish, which uses homemade puff pastry, so if you're interested in seeing the process (and recipe), head on over and have a look.
What ingredients are in store-bought puff pastry?
The ingredients themselves are few and simple, as most of the world's really delicious things are: flour, water, sugar, and a fat source, which is typically butter.
Is it best to use homemade cherry pie filling for this recipe?
The choice is yours.
If you have the time (you'll need roughly 30 minutes to cook and a few hours to cool), and fresh cherries are in season, making homemade cherry pie filling may be the best course of action to take.
However, there are some excellent cherry pie fillings available in the grocery store, which are perfectly acceptable to use.
Either choice is brilliant.
Can homemade cheesecake filling be used in place of ready-made cheesecake filling?
Sure. If you'd like to take the extra time to turn this semi-homemade strudel into a completely homemade masterpiece, you can certainly do that.
I suggest blending softened cream cheese (8 ounces) with one egg, one teaspoon vanilla extract, one tablespoon sugar (or to taste), and 1-2 tablespoons (each tablespoon added one at a time and blended after each addition) of milk or cream to make a consistency that is thick, yet spreadable.
Why egg wash the puff pastry before baking?
The egg wash serves two purposes in this recipe.
One is that it acts as a glue to hold the pastry edges in place during baking, and two, it helps turn the pastry a lovely, mouthwatering golden brown color in the oven.
Add-in and swap-out suggestions:
This flavor and presentation of this easy puff pastry strudel is totally yours to play with and enjoy.
Add-in suggestions:
Like nuts? Add finely chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts on top of the layer of pie filling before sealing up the pastry.
The same holds true for any additional ingredients you might choose to add to the filling, such as chocolate chips (white or dark), raisins or currants, flaked coconut, or even sprinkles for a surprise inside that no one saw coming. Have fun with the possibilities!
Swap-out suggestions:
- If you're not a fan of cherries or want to switch things up from time to time, feel free to swap out a different flavor of pie filling if you prefer.
- Vanilla extract would be a delicious swap for the almond extract called for in the recipe.
- Or, depending on the flavor of pie filling you're using, why not go wild and crazy with maple, coconut, or even lemon extract (but not all at once, mind you)?
- If desired, using a delicious confectioner's sugar glaze in place of the powdered sugar dusting would make a delightful swap. To make a glaze, whisk confectioners' sugar (1 cup), 1-2 teaspoons of milk or cream, and a drop of your favorite extract. Whisk until combined and the mixture reaches a thick, drizzling consistency. Once the strudels are completely cooled, spoon or drizzle the glaze over each strudel.
Recommended serving suggestions:
I like mine with a small dollop of cheesecake filling on the plate, along with an additional schmear of cherry pie filling.
However, I'd never say no to a scoop of vanilla ice cream (or your favorite flavor) over the top of the strudel while it is still slightly warm from the oven.
And then, of course, there's always whipped cream!! 🙂
Additional recipes featuring cherries:
- Easy Homemade Cherry Pie Filling
- Traditional Cherry Cheesecake
- No-Churn Cherry Chunk Amaretto Ice Cream
- Double Chocolate Cherry Bundt Cake
- Cherry Kuchen Bars (aka Kringle Kuchen)
- Cherry Sweet Rolls with Almond Glaze
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
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Printable Recipe Card
Cherry Cheesecake Strudel with Puff Pastry
Equipment
- cake lifter optional for moving the strudel
- fork
- ruler optional
- 5 inch Serrated Knife for slicing
Ingredients
- 1 box (2 sheets per box) puff pastry I used Pepperidge Farm
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup cherry pie filling, divided
- ½ cup prepared cheesecake filling
- 2 tablespoons confectioner's sugar
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you'll enjoy making (and eating) this easy and quick cherry cheesecake dessert as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
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