Peach Strudel
31 comments » 
I can’t believe that we’re already nearing the end of August, which means summer is almost over and the bounty of fresh fruit that has been at our disposal for the last four months is going to start dwindling. I’m taking advantage of every last bushel that I can before everyone’s attention shifts to apples, pears and pumpkin. A few years ago my Chief Culinary Consultant and I went to Hofbrauhaus here in Pittsburgh not long after its grand opening. We stuffed ourselves full of beer, soft pretzel appetizers, schnitzel sandwiches the size of my head and, I’m pretty sure, more beer. Which is why I shocked myself when I readily accepted a dessert menu even though I could barely breathe. (It must have been the beer talking.) New restaurant, must have dessert – right?! We very smartly decided to share something and settled on the apple strudel. To say it was amazing would be an understatement. Flaky layers of pastry wrapped warm, soft and slightly spiced apples, served with vanilla and raspberry sauces. When I was thinking about how I could use up some of my peaches, my Chief Culinary Consultant reminded me of that epic dessert, and I set out to make a peach version. And make it, I did.
I truly anticipated a strudel would take me all day and be a giant headache. It couldn’t have been more the opposite. I was astounded to find that I could make and bake a beautiful, flaky strudel in about an hour. I sliced up some peaches and threw them together with some sugar, spices and thickener, a la pie filling. To make the strudel, all you need to do is stack up some phyllo dough that you brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar. Add the filling, roll it up, and pop it in the oven.
In less than an hour, you’ll have a gorgeous, delicious strudel that will totally impress. I don’t know about you, but I can’t resist anything that involves buttery, flaky layers. Throw in some peaches and you have a perfect late-summer dessert.
One year ago: Honey Fig Scones
Two years ago: Lemon Bars
Three years ago: Blueberry-Buttermilk Scones
Four years ago: Croissants
Peach Strudel
Yield: 1 large or 2 small strudels
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
20 ounces fresh peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into 1/8-inch slices
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamonFor the Strudel Assembly:
5 sheets phyllo dough, thawed (use 14x18-inch phyllo for 1 large strudel; use 9x14-inch phyllo for 2 small strudels)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugarDirections:
1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
2. Stir together the peaches, brown sugar, flour, pecans, vanilla extract and cinnamon; set aside.
3. Place a silicone mat or a piece of parchment on your work surface. Place a sheet of phyllo on the mat or parchment, with the long side facing you. Brush the sheet of phyllo with melted butter and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Repeat with the remaining four sheets of phyllo, stacking them on top of one another.
4. Place the filling in a 3-inch-wide strip about 2½ inches from the bottom and 2 inches from each side of the phyllo (if you are using the smaller size phyllo, use half of the filling and repeat the steps with additional phyllo). Fold the short sides of phyllo over the filling. Then fold the bottom of the phyllo over the filling and very gently roll the strudel loosely.
5. Place the strudel, steam-side down, on the baking sheet. Brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. Cut four 1-inch-long vents in the top of the strudel. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Place the baking sheet on a cooling rack and allow to cool until warm, about 30 minutes.
print
save
email
Now this I think I can make and now screw up! haha! About how many peaches was 20 ounces?
Reply
Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Hi Ashley, I used 3 large-ish peaches. It will all depend on how big they are.
Reply
I can taste the peaches from here. I may have to try this.
Reply
I am loving all the peach recipes popping up lately! The super duper ultra flakiness of this one is a keeper for sure. So happy I can buy the dough!
Reply
Looks delicious!! I’m not good with phyllo dough, but for this recipe, I’ll give it another try!
Reply
Gorgeous, Michelle! I can’t believe how fast summer has gone but I think I’m ready for fall.
Reply
Any idea how many cups of filling that is? Did you weigh the peaches before you peeled and pitted them?
Reply
Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Hi Barbara, I didn’t measure the filling so I’m not sure. I did weigh the peaches before peeling and pitting them.
Reply
Looks great, I love anything peach!
Reply
I wondered what I was going to make with that phyllo dough in the freezer! Thanks
Reply
This looks so simple. I can’t wait to try this out with other fruits, nuts, and endless fillings! Thank you!
Reply
August may be nearing it’s end but I refuse to let the peaches go – my fav summer fruit! This strudel is going to be made!
Reply
I’ve never made a strudel but this looks so flakey and delicious. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
This kind of desserts are so easy to make, of course if we have phylo, I can’t imagine me making it…The best thing of this dessert is that looks so fancy, so gorgeous, so delicious…!!!
Reply
Lovely….I have never made a strudel thinking it would be an all-day activity. I now know differently and am thinking it would be a super treat!
Reply
I’m sorry to say I’ve never had strudel. I guess I’ll have to be making some coming up. And eating dessert is always necessary at a restaurant, new or otherwise, no matter how full one is. One of my other more recently discovered tricks after a few too many sleepless nights suffering from eating way to much is taking home a serving or two of dessert. A lot of restaurant desserts travel really well and are just as tasty the next day.
Reply
Best recipes ever this week!! WOW!! This looks amazing!
Reply
This looks amazing! I’m so bitter about the end of summer and the already decreasing availability of good peaches and cheap berries. How do you store this? Can it be sliced and frozen?
Reply
Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Hi Mia, I have not tried freezing it. I kept it covered with foil at room temperature.
Reply
Ahh I can’t decide between peach crumble, peach cobbler, or this recipe – at least peaches are on sale at Giant Eagle this week!
Reply
Beautiful! I can imagine how wonderful that tastes! Yum
Reply
Really intresting receipt. I have never tried to cook something with peach. I think I will try now!
Reply
Gosh, this looks fantastic. I’ve never made a peach strudel, but I’ve made one with apple before. Looks like I better grab some peaches before the season is over!
Reply
I’m totally loving this. Peaches are everywhere!
Reply
Oh this looks so good!! Can’t wait for peaches season here.
Reply
Well I know what I’ll be doing this weekend! Maybe with nectarines?
Reply
I’ve done something similar with apples, but peaches sound wonderful – especially this time of year!
Reply
PERFECT!
Reply
super easy and delicious. i used 3 good sized peaches and made 2- 9X14 size. i ate it 30 minutes after taking it out of the (not the whole thing, of course!). served with a little whipped cream. you could easily halve the recipe as well.
Reply
yummm….. just add some vanilla ice cream!
Reply
I did something just like this with apples in the fall… peaches sounds delightful!!!
Reply