Jane’s Kitchen: Fruit Strudel Bites

From:

Bon Appetit, November 1988 

 

DOUGH 

2 1/2 cups unbleached flour 

1 cup (2 sticks) chilled, unsalted butter, cut in pieces 

1 cup sour cream 

 

FILLING 

1 1/2 cups sugar 

1 tablespoon cinnamon 

4 (heaping) tablespoons each of apricot and cherry preserves

3/4 cup (3 oz) pecans, chopped 

3/4 cup (3 oz) shredded coconut 

3/4 cup (4 oz) dried apricots, chopped 

3/4 cup (4 oz) golden raisins 

 

FOR DOUGH: 

Place flour in large bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add sour cream and blend to incorporate. 

Gather dough into a ball, cut into 4 pieces, and form each into flat rectangle. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 24 hours. Can be made up to 3 days ahead.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease jelly roll pan, or line with Silpat or parchment paper. 

FOR FILLING: 

Mix sugar with cinnamon in small bowl. Spread 1/4 cup evenly over pastry cloth. 

Top with one piece of dough. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of cinnamon sugar. 

Using covered rolling pin, roll dough out to 11×15 rectangle 1/16th inch thick; sprinkle with cinnamon sugar as needed to prevent sticking. 

Spread 2 tablespoons of jam in 2-inch strip along long edge of dough. 

Sprinkle with 1/4 each of pecans, coconut, apricots and raisins. 

Using pastry cloth as aid, roll dough up lengthwise into cylinder. 

Fold ends under. Place strudel on prepared pan seam-side down. Repeat with remaining dough to form 4 strudels. Using sharp knife, score strudel into 1/2 inch thick pieces; do not cut through dough 

Sprinkle with any remaining cinnamon sugar. Bake until golden, 30-40 minutes. 

Use large spatula to remove whole strudel to rack. Do not separate into pieces until cool. 

When cool carefully pick up a large chunk of strudel and carefully break off individual cookies. Store in waxed paper-lined air tight tin. Put waxed paper between layers. 

Can be prepared up to one month ahead.