To prepare the filling. in a medium saucepan, mix together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Stir in cherries, water, lemon zest, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat until bubbling and thickened.
Reduce heat to low, add allspice and cinnamon, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Cool completely.
Preheat oven to 400* F. Grease a baking sheet.
To prepare pastry, unfold sheets of phyllo so they lie flat. Stack 4 sheets on plastic wrap. Brush top sheet with 1tbs melted butter. Keep remaining sheets covered with plastic wrap. and a damp cloth to prevent them drying out.
Spread half filling along a short side of top pastry sheet. Starting with short side and using plastic wrap as a guide, roll up pastry jelly-roll style. Fold ends under.
Place strudel, seam side down, on prepared baking sheet. Brush with 1/2 tbs melted butter. Repeat with remaining phyllo, melted butter and filling to make second strudel.
Bake until golden15 to 20 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. Transfer strudels to cutting board to cool completely. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.