Strawberry Firecrackers

The 'firecrackers', crisp rolls of phyllo filled with whole strawberries, are served in a pool of strawberry sauce with blueberries and whipped cream.

Recipe Ingredients:

For Sauce:
1 cup frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed
2 teaspoons orange liqueur or 1 tablespoon orange juice plus 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

For Strawberry Firecrackers:
3 sheets phyllo dough
1/4 cup unseasoned dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
2 pints whole stemmed California strawberries

Sweetened whipped cream for garnish
Fresh blueberries for garnish

Cooking Directions:

1. To Make Sauce: In blender or food processor, purée strawberries. Stir in orange liqueur or orange juice and zest. Refrigerate, covered, up to 2 days.
2. To Make Strawberry Firecrackers: Heat oven to 500°F (260°C).
3. Cut phyllo sheets in half to make six 8 x 12-inch sheets. Cover with damp towel.
4. In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and sugar.
5. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo on work surface, keeping remaining pieces covered, and brush with butter. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the bread crumb mixture. Place a row of 4 or 5 strawberries about 2 inches above long edge of sheet, centering the row to leave ends of sheet uncovered. From long edge, carefully roll up; tuck ends of sheet under. Place seam-side-down on ungreased baking sheet, brush with butter and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the bread crumb mixture.
6. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 6 rolls.
7. Bake phyllo rolls in center of oven for 5 minutes or until crisp and browned.
8. To Serve: Spoon 2 tablespoons of sauce onto each of 6 plates; place one roll on each plate* and garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a few blueberries. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

*Rolls can be cut in half on an angle with a serrated knife. Cut carefully with a light sawing motion; phyllo may crumble.

Tip: Strawberry Firecrackers can be prepared up to one day in advance. Place unbaked firecrackers on baking sheet, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Remove plastic wrap and bake in preheated 500°F (260°C) oven for 5 minutes.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of California Strawberry Commission. ©2009 California Strawberry Commission. All rights reserved. Used with permission.