Description
Delectable apple turnovers from France blend buttery pastry with sweet cinnamon-spiced fruit. Flaky layers and caramelized apple filling create a perfect dessert for home bakers who want European comfort on their plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Filling:
- 3 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Pastry and Base Ingredients:
- 1 17.3-ounce (490 grams) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Egg Wash and Icing:
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Allow puff pastry to thaw at room temperature.
- Melt butter in a pot over medium heat, then add chopped apples and cook for 5 minutes until softening.
- Incorporate brown sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir and cook for 2 additional minutes.
- Transfer apple mixture to a bowl and let cool completely.
- Unfold pastry sheets on a parchment-lined surface and gently roll out to create a smooth 12×12 square.
- Slice the dough into four equal squares using a pizza cutter or sharp knife.
- Position squares on prepared baking sheets and place cooled apple mixture in the center of each square.
- Brush dough edges with egg wash, then fold diagonal corners to create triangular turnovers.
- Crimp edges with a fork to seal completely.
- Create three shallow venting slits across the top of each turnover.
- Generously coat the entire surface with remaining egg wash.
- Chill turnovers in the freezer for 15 minutes before baking.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until pastry is puffy and golden brown.
- Cool turnovers on a wire rack.
- Whisk powdered sugar, almond extract, and heavy cream into a smooth, pourable icing.
- Drizzle icing over cooled turnovers and allow to set for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ensure puff pastry is completely thawed to prevent cracking and uneven baking.
- Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for better texture and balanced sweetness.
- Drain excess liquid from cooked apples to prevent soggy pastry bottoms.
- Chill turnovers before baking to help maintain their crisp, flaky shape.
- Gluten-free option: Replace puff pastry with gluten-free puff pastry or phyllo dough.
- Vegan adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil and use plant-based egg wash substitute.
- Make ahead: Prepare and freeze uncooked turnovers for up to 2 weeks for quick desserts.
- Elevate flavor by adding a pinch of cardamom or replacing almond extract with vanilla.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg