It's autumn, and that definitely means it's apple season! Caramelized Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry are easy to make and one of my favorites. They are also known as Apple Hand Pies, because it's like eating a pie in your hand!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy - uses frozen store bought pastry
- Fast - ready to eat in 30 minutes
- Family Friendly - even the kids can bake together with mom or dad
Apple Season
When the weather gets colder, we inevitably think of Fall Comfort Foods, and that always means apples for me! If you have an apple tree in your yard, you probably have more apples than you know what to do with. We went apple picking at a local orchard, and I just couldn't stop picking them!
While crispy fresh apples are tastiest, you can also use ripe apples that have gotten soft from sitting on your kitchen counter too long. This apple recipe is budget friendly and tastes great with all apples.
Best Apples for Turnovers
There are so many apple varieties around the world, and just as many opinions on which is best. The best apple to use, is the one in front of you! Let's not get too precious over baked pastries and the different apple varieties. Use what's in season, is affordable, tastes great and is either tart or sweet based on your preferences. Here are some of my favorites.
- Pink Lady or Cripps Pink - developed in Western Australia. High in sugars and crispy
- Granny Smith - tart and acidic, popular in pies
- Golden Delicious - very sweet with a slight honey aroma
- Honeycrisp - sweet with a slight tart flavor
Ingredients
- Puff Pasty (frozen)
- 5 medium apples
- brown sugar
- white sugar
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- cornstarch
- butter
- egg wash
- cream cheese drizzle (optional but you deserve it)
Apple Turnover Filling
It's actually really easy to make apple turnover filling from fresh apples. The best part is that there is no cooking required. That's how easy it is to make! The trick is to cut the apple pieces small enough.
- Peel and core the apples. Cut into quarters and dice into small pieces.
- Place butter in microwave safe bowl and cover with paper towel. Microwave in 10 second increments until butter is melted. The residual heat will keep butter melting.
- Toss together diced apples, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until apples evenly coated.
- Mix through melted butter, and your apple turnover filling is ready to use.
Instructions
What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to make. Of course, you're going to buy the frozen puff pastry sheets, ready rolled and usually in 10"x10" squares. Always keep some in the freezer because it's a cheap and easy pastry for so many baked recipes.
- Prepare the apple turnover filling by dicing apples and tossing with sugars, spices and butter.
- Cut puff pastry into 4 squares
- Spoon ¼ cup apple filling onto each square
- Fold pastry diagonally over apples, pressing edges with fork to seal
- Brush apple turnovers with egg wash
- Bake until golden brown
- Allow to cool and drizzle with cream cheese glaze
Cream Cheese Drizzle
I have included an optional cream cheese icing for these Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry. I love cream cheese icing, and it works perfectly with the crispy pastry and apple cinnamon flavors. Gently drizzle or completely cover the apple turnovers. Here's all you need;
- cream cheese
- butter
- icing sugar
- vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
Turnover Pastry
There are several different types of pastries you can use when making Apple Turnovers. I think Puff Pastry is best as it's easy, buttery and flaky. Here are some suggestions.
- Apple Pie Pastry (shortcrust pastry)
- Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
- Puff Pastry
Tips and FAQs
- Work quickly when folding the apple turnovers. Puff Pastry that is too soft is difficult to work with and will easily tear
- Work with 2 puff pastry sheets at a time, allowing sheets to slowly soften, enough to fold over. Keep remaining sheets in freezer until ready to use
- Add fruit! Add diced strawberries, blueberries or peaches for tasty turnover variations
- Use baking paper! This makes it easy to remove from baking tray if any apples leak
- Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the turnovers. If sprinkled unevenly, the sugar will cook at different rates and may start to burn in the thicker parts.
- Cut a small slit on top of each turnover to create a vent so turnover doesn't burst
Can I use canned apples?
To make this recipe even easier to make, you can buy canned apples in supermarkets. Sold as canned Apple Pie Filling. To change up flavors, use other canned pie fillings such as canned Blueberry Filling, Peach Pie Filling or Cherry Pie Filling.
How to store Apple Turnovers
Keep apple turnovers in an airtight container and keep them refrigerated. As long as they aren't drizzled with icing, place on a plate and cover with cling wrap. To reheat before serving, pop into the oven for a few minutes to warm them up.
Can you freeze Apple Turnovers?
Yes. Allow to defrost before quickly warming in the oven before serving. So roll up your sleeves and make a few batches to enjoy after apple season is done!
Tasty Autumn Apple Recipes
Your family will love these Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry. So easy to make, everyone can help bake. Just make sure they also help with the clean up! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Ingredients
- 4 sheets puff pastry
Apple Turnover Filling
- 5 medium apples peeled and diced
- ¼ cup brown sugar firmly packed
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon whipping cream
Cream Cheese Drizzle
- ¼ cup cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons butter softned to room temperature
- ½ cup icing sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Apple Pie Filling
- Peel and core the apples. Cut into quarters and dice into small pieces.
- Place butter in microwave safe bowl and cover with paper towel. Microwave in 10 second increments until butter is melted. The residual heat will keep butter melting.
- Toss together diced apples, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch until apples evenly coated.
- Mix through melted butter, and your apple turnover filling is ready to use.
Egg Wash
- In a small bowl, beat together 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of whipping cream. Set aside.
Assembling Apple Turnovers
- Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C in a fan forced oven. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut each puff pastry sheet into 4 squares. Spoon the apple filling onto half of a square (about ¼ cup). Careful not to let the apples touch the sides of the puff pastry.
- Fold pastry diagonally over apples, pressing edges with fork to seal.
- Brush each apple turnover with egg wash and sprinkle with white sugar.
- Bake for about 14-18 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool before drizzling with a cream cheese glaze.
Cream Cheese Glaze
- Soften cream cheese and butter to room temperature.
- Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, icing sugar and vanilla until smooth.
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