Easy Braided Apple-Walnut Strudel
Special Cooking Equipment Needed:Rolling pin, pastry brush, pastry cutter (or use a knife)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup canned apple pie filling
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 sheet puff pastry, room temperature
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon coarse sugar or raw sugar
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400˚F. In a bowl stir together the pecans and
the apple pie filling. In another bowl, stir together the brown sugar,
flour and cinnamon. Set both mixtures aside.
On a work
surface dusted with flour, carefully unfold the puff pastry. With a
rolling pin, roll out the pastry to form a rectangle about 12 inches
long and 9 inches wide, being careful that the pastry doesn't stick to
the surface.
Using a knife or a pastry cutter, cut slits
along the long sides of the pastry. The slits should be 1 inch apart,
and as deep as the outer thirds of the pastry, leaving the middle third
uncut.
Spread the apple-nut mixture along the length of the
center of the dough, leaving about a half-inch on either end. Sprinkle
the brown sugar mixture over the filling.
Beginning with
one short end, form the braid: Fold the half-inch edge of dough over the
filling. Then fold the first strip on the right over the filling at a
slight angle. Fold the first strip on the left over the filling,
overlapping the first strip. Continue folding strips of dough from
alternate sides to form a braided pattern. When you get to the top, fold
the edge of the dough over the filling, tucking it under the braided
strips. Using two spatulas, carefully transfer the braid to a
parchment-covered baking sheet.
With a pastry brush,
lightly brush the egg mixture over the braid. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake
at 400˚F until the pastry is golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Let
cool for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces. Serve warm or at
room temperature.