2 Tbsp butter
4 Apple Pears; peeled, cored, & thinly sliced
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
Grated rind of 1 orange
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 sheets puff pastry (one package), thawed
Icing Glaze:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
Melt the butter in a large pan. Add the Apple Pears and cook over medium heat until tender. When they are almost done, add the sugar, orange rind, and walnuts. Stir gently until sugar is melted and the Apple Pears are glazed.
Place the puff pastry on a greased cookie sheet. Make 1 1/2-2 inch deep cuts on each side at a slant, approximately 1 inch apart. This will create strips along two of the edges that are still attached to the center. Place the Apple Pear mixture down the center. Fold the cut sides over the mixture, alternating left and right, to create a criss-cross, or braided, pattern. Pinch the ends closed.
Bake for 20-30 minutes, until golden brown.
Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to create a glaze. Drizzle over the strudel. Serve warm.
Recipe developed by Kingsburg Orchards, and orignially featured in Costco's Smart Cooking the Costco Way, 2010, page 18.
