Pumpkin Pecan Strudel Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the pumpkin or squash with the oil on a baking tray. Bake for 45 mins until really tender, then leave to cool.
• Tip the pumpkin into a food processor, whizz until smooth, then tip into a bowl. Add the sugar, almonds, breadcrumbs, egg and spices, and mix well. This can be done up to 2 days ahead.
• Lower oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Layer the pastry sheets on top of each other, brushing some melted butter and a sprinkling of sugar and chopped pecans between each sheet. Spoon the pumpkin filling along one long edge of the pastry in a long log shape, leaving a 2.5cm gap at either end. Turn up the ends, then carefully roll up the strudel and brush the edge with egg to seal.
• Transfer to a baking tray, sealed-side down. Brush with the reserved egg, drizzle over any leftover butter and sprinkle with the reserved pecans and extra sugar. Bake for 40 mins until golden and crisp. Leave to stand for 10 mins before slicing, then serve with maple syrup and cream or custard, if you like.

Steps:

• To make the crust, combine the flour and salt in a medium bowl and mix well. Break up the shortening and toss it with the flour mixture to coat. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, mix the ingredients together until the dough forms coarse crumbs. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons ice-cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough easily forms a ball that can hold itself together. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and as long as overnight.
• While the dough is resting, make the streusel: Toss the pecans with the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add the butter, and using a pastry blender or your fingertips, work in until you have small clumps. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Sprinkle flour generously over a hard surface and roll the dough out with a rolling pin until it forms an 11-inch round. Fold the round in half, place it in a 9-inch pie plate, and then unfold the dough to completely cover the pie plate with a bit of an overhang. Tuck the overhang under to make a double-thick rim, and then use your fingers to crimp the edges of the pie shell. Brush the heavy cream over the crimped edges, and refrigerate until the filling is complete.
• To make the filling, mix the pumpkin, flour, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt together with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl well. Add the heavy cream and maple syrup, scraping the bowl several times while mixing. Mix in the beaten eggs.
• Pour the filling mixture into the pie shell, and bake for 15 minutes. Then lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake until the filling is almost firm, about 30 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven and sprinkle the pecan streusel over the top, covering the pie completely. Return the pie to the oven and bake until the filling is just a bit wobbly in the middle and the pecan streusel is golden, 10 to 15 minutes. The total baking time should be 55 to 60 minutes.
• Cool the pie on a wire rack. The pie is best served at either at room temperature or cold. Before serving, garnish the pie with the Maple Whipped Cream.
• Place the metal bowl of an electric mixer in the freezer to chill for at least 15 minutes.
• Combine the cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla in the chilled bowl, and beat on high speed until the mixture thickens. Add the maple syrup and beat on high speed until the cream holds firm peaks.