Glazed Pear Wreath
2 packages (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar, divided
1 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
1 egg
3 firm ripe pears
1/4 cup apricot jam
Preheat oven to 375�F.
Unroll crescent dough; separate into 16 triangles. With
wide ends of triangles toward the center, arrange 8 triangles in a circle on
large round stone. Corners of wide wends will touch and points will extend 1"
beyond edge of cooking stone. Arrange 8 remaining triangles in center, matching
wide ends. Seal seams. (Points will overlap in center; do not seal)
Chop walnuts using a food chopper. In a bowl, combine walnuts, raisins, 1/4 cup
of the sugar, 3/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon and egg; mix well. Place remaining 2 tbsp
sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a flour/ sugar shaker; set aside.
Core pears. Slice pears into rings. Arrange half of the pear rings over seams in
dough forming a circle. Scoop filling evenly over pears. Arrange remaining pears
slices in an overlapping circular pattern over filling. Sprinkle remaining
sugar-cinnamon mixture over pears.
Beginning in center, lift one dough triangle across mixture. Continue
alternating with outer triangles, slightly over-lapping to form a wreath. Tuck
last end under first.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove to cooling rack. Heat
apricot jam in microwave-cooker on high for 30 seconds or until melted; gently
brush over entire surface of wreath. Cut into serving slices.
Yields: 10 servings |