Apple Strudel with Cinnamon Honey Cream Cheese Sauce

By courtneyepowell

Note: Does not keep well; try to make when you can use the whole thing.

Ingredients

• Strudels:
• 2 1/2 lb Golden Delicious apples (about 5 large), peeled, cored and roughly chopped
• 1 c unsweetened raisins
• 1 c chopped unsalted walnuts, toasted
• 3 T raw honey
• 1 t pure vanilla extract
• 1 t ground cinnamon
• 1/4 t ground nutmeg
• 12 sheets frozen whole-wheat or spelt phyllo, thawed
• 4 T olive oil
• 1/2 c whole-wheat bread crumbs
• Cinnamon Honey Cream-Cheese Sauce
• 1/2 c low-fat plaini cream cheese (4 oz) at room temp
• 2 T raw honey
• 2 T skim milk
• 1/4 t ground cinnamon

Preparation

Step 1

Strudel:
1. Arrange rack in center of oven and preheat to 400. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine apples, raisins, walnuts, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmet; set aside.
3. Arrange 1 sheet phyllo on a clean work surface, long edge paralle to the counter's edge. Using a pastry brush, brush a minimal mamount of oil onto phyllo, then evenly scatter 2 t bread crumbs over top. Place another phyllo sheet directly on top. Repeat layers for a total of 6 sheets of phyllo. Do not brush oil or scatter bread crumbs on top layer. Spread half of apple filling into a long log on top of sheets, leaving 1 in at bottom and sides. Snugly roll all phyllo layers over filling, jellyroll style, tucking in sides after first roll covers filling. Repeat steps to assemble and roll a second strudel with remaining 6 phyllo sheets and remaining half of apple filling. You should be left with 2 rolls. Carefully transfer both rolls to baking sheet and brush with oil.
4. Bake strudels until deep golden brown and crisp, about 30-40 mins. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack to cool. To serve, user a serrated knife to cut each roll crosswise into 6 portions. Serve warm or at room temp with 1 T cinnamon honey cream-cheese sauce.

Cinnamon Honey Cream-Cheese Sauce
In a small bowl beat together all ingredients until evenly blended and smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hr to allow flavors to meld.