Sweet Potato and Cranberry Strudel

This sweet potato and cranberry strudel is defined by contrasts. Its healthfulness is tempered by the inclusion of brown butter and toasted pecans. And its creamy filling juxtaposes oh so nicely against the crisp phyllo dough. And it comes together more easily than youd ever imagine. But no one else at your Thanksgiving table needs to know it wasnt a tremendous labor of love.Renee Schettler Rossi

Sweet Potato and Golden Raisin Strudel

• Quick Glance
• 35 M
• 1 H, 25 M
• Makes 8 servings

5/5 - 2 reviews

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Directions

• 1. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
• 2. Put the cranberries and golden raisins in a small bowl and add enough hot water to cover. Set aside until plump, about 10 minutes. Drain the dried fruit, discarding the liquid.
• 3. Meanwhile, place the potato in a medium saucepan, cover with hot water, and add a little salt. Cook over high heat until fork-tender. Meanwhile, put the carrots in a small saucepan, cover with hot water, and add a little salt. Cook over high heat until fork-tender. Drain the potatoes and carrots in a strainer and set aside.
• 4. Put the butter in a small saucepan over high heat. Let the butter melt and then stir continuously until the butter starts browning on the bottom of the pan. It will also start bubbling and foaming a little. The butter should have a medium golden-brown color. Immediately pour the butter into a small dish.
• 5. Smash the soft-cooked potatoes and carrots with a fork or handheld potato masher until lumpy but mostly mashed. Stir 6 tablespoons of the brown butter into the vegetables. Blend in the dried fruit and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• 6. Unroll the phyllo dough and place it flat on a clean work surface. The dimensions of the dough will be about 9 by 13 inches (you may need to cut larger sheets of phyllo dough to 9 by 13 inches). To help prevent the dough from drying out while working with it, cover with a slightly dampened clean kitchen cloth. Carefully place 1 sheet of dough on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with the melted brown butter, and lightly sprinkle with pecans and coarse sea salt. Lay another sheet on top and continue layering with brown butter, sea salt, and pecans. Layer and stack 7 sheets.
• 7. Carefully spoon the filling along one of the long edges of the dough, nudging it with the back of the spoon into a tube-like shape. Starting with the filling side of the dough, roll the strudel tightly into a log. Place the strudel in the center of the baking sheet, brush with the remaining butter, and sprinkle with pecans and a little sea salt.
• 8. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• 9. Let the strudel cool slightly in the pan on a wire rack. Transfer the strudel to a cutting board and, using a serrated knife, cut the strudel using long sawing motions to prevent excessive flaking of the pastry. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of spiced crme frache. Originally published October 12, 2009.

*What You Need To KnowHomemade Crme Frache

• To make your own crme frache, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine 2 cups heavy cream with 4 tablespoons buttermilk. Do not bring to a boil. Pour the warm liquid into a small container and cover. Store at room temperature until thick, 8 to 48 hours. Once the crme frache is thick, cover and stash it in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Spiced Crme Frache
• Spice up homemade crme frache with a hint of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and vanilla extract, adding as much (or as little) as you desire.