Merge Compound Path with its Stroke in Illustrator

Question

I have a vector that is in Compound Path Format. It also has a stroke. I Would like to apply a Gradient to it, but as applying two gradients (one for the color itself and one for stroke) creates a buggy effect, I would like to merge the path with its stroke to create a new shape and then apply the gradient to it.

I cannot find a solution to do so. Expand Appearance is greyed out and Outline Stroke creates two Compound paths.

Answer 1

I found the answer:

1. Convert the shape to two compound paths using Path > Outline Stroke
2. Selecting both paths and creating a new shape with Compound Path > Make (Step 2 worked for me in one shape but is creating unexpected results in others)