Saturday, October 13, 2007

Perfect Pear...Pumpkin Pear Strudel



I took a day off this past Friday and headed down to my moms to spend the day with my her & my sister. They teach year round school, and this was their last Friday of a 3-week break before going back for 10 weeks (until Christmas break).



I have been itching to bake with some pears since I saw some awesome pear recipes featured on WILLIAMS SONOMA RECIPES. I found this recipe on VERY BEST BAKING and modified it slightly. It was perfect because it made 2 strudels so my mom and sister got to keep one and I got to bring one home to Nate!



This was also my first experience working with puff pastry, which is super fun and I can't wait to make something else with it!. Here is my version of the Very Best Baking recipe for Libby's Pumpkin Pear Strudel...

2 Large ripe pears, peeled, cored and diced
1 can Libby's Pure Pumpkin Puree
1/2 c brown sugar
1/8 c sugar
3/4 c crushed pecans
1/4 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
Cinnamon & sugar mix
1 egg beaten
2 sheets puff pastry (17oz package) thawed according to package and divided and edges cut like this:


In a medium bowl, mix pumpkin, pears, nuts, spices & sugars until well combined. Spoon 1/2 of the mix onto the center of each prepared, thawed puff pastry. Braid/ criss-cross the fringed sides together like this:


Seal each end by pressing firmly. Brush beaten egg over the top of each strudel and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mix.
Bake 30 minutes at 375, until golden and puffy. Serve warm.

8 comments:

Jaime said...

yum!! i love pastries... and this flavor combination sounds great :)

Deborah said...

I have never had the combination of pumpkin and pear before. This sounds wonderful!

Elly said...

YUM. I love pears, I love pumpkin, I love puff pastry. This is the trifecta. Mmm. And you will love puff pastry. So easy to use, so versatile and SO good.

Sarah said...

This sounds and looks so good. Pear and pumpkin together... yum!

Carrie said...

This looks and sounds fantastic!!! Do you think I could use apples instead of pears?
Also, what size can of pumpkin did you use (mine is a 29 oz)?

Patricia Scarpin said...

I love how you braided the strudel, Beth - it looks delicious and beautiful!

Beth G. @SweetLifeKitchen said...

Thanks! I'll update the can of pumpkin part on the ingredients- it was a 15oz can, and I think this would be super yummy with apples~ give it a whirl!!

Peabody said...

I would have never thought of the two together, but your strudel looks so darn tasty that I should give it a try.