A recipe for an easy to make Braided Apple Strudel.
In a medium pot add the 4 tablespoons of butter and melt over medium heat. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon and water. Cook over medium heat until apples are soft (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
Next make your cream cheese filling. In a bowl add the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla. Mix until ingredients are well blended. Set aside.
Roll your pizza crust dough into a rectangle. Make 2" diagonal cuts down the side about a 1" inch apart.
Spread the cream cheese filling down the center of the dough. Next add the apple filling on top of the cream cheese filling.
Take the cut flaps of the dough and crisscross the strips over the filling to create a braided look. Pinch edges to seal.
Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes, until your strudel is slightly golden. While apple braid is in the oven make your glaze. In a bowl add the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract. Stir and mix well. If glaze is too runny add a small amount of powered sugar until you reach desired consistency.
Once you remove your braided apple strudel from oven, allow to cool for 2-3 minutes. Take your glaze and drizzle it down your strudel. Slice and enjoy.