Flaky Apple Turnovers
When I have a hankerin' for a warm, fruit filled dessert...these apple turnovers are my "go to" recipe. Not only do they taste like Mom's apple pie but they are quick and easy, which is generally a God's send to James when I get a sweet tooth craving...it's always a good idea to get me fed pretty fast!
First of all, preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper...then, peel, core and coarsely chop one large apple. I use MacIntosh because I like their sweet/tart flavour for these turnovers and they cook down nicely.
If you like bigger chunks of apple in your desserts, then Spy or Empire are good choices...but I say MacIntosh is best...I'm bossy that way!
Next, throw your apple chunks in a medium sized bowl and add: 1 heaping tablespoon of flour, 2 heaping tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
Stir it all together and set aside...next comes the part that requires patience, skill and will really test your culinary expertise...
...crack open a box of frozen puff pastry!! This seems like cheating but it is pretty quick and easy...and tastes good! You can make your own puff pastry, but if you want to roll and fold and fold and roll for what seems like hours when all you want is a darn pastry, then you should...but you already know my views on hunger pangs!
If you have never taken my lazy puff pastry route before...then you should know that in each box, there are two "blocks" of frozen dough...this should be thawed but not warm...also, do not refreeze once it has been thawed as it loses it's "special rising powers"! Each block will make 4 turnovers...I seem to know an awful lot about this pre-made dough...almost as if I've used it before..several times!!
Dust your work surface with flour and roll one block of dough out into a rectangle (approx. 10x12"),
...using a sharp knife or a pizza cutting wheel, cut the dough into 4 squares
...then, divide the apple mixture equally onto each square of dough.
Next, dip your finger in water and run it along the edges of the pastry squares...this helps seal the dough together when you fold it over,
...fold dough over and pinch damp edges together for a good seal...nothing worse than having your sweet, fruity filling run out and ending up with a hollow shell...very maddening! (Please do not take note of my baggy, frayed cuffs on my sweater...it was a lounging day...with pre-made dough and all!).
Sprinkle the tops with granulated sugar and bake in your preheated, 400 degree oven for approximately 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool slightly on a wire rack and serve warm with ice cream or straight up with a cup of tea...or hey, keeping up with today's "store bought" theme, drizzle canned vanilla icing on top...I always have a can handy for craving emergencies! Either way, I'm sure you will enjoy these turnovers!
Flaky Apple Turnovers
1 box of frozen puff pastry dough (use half to make 4 turnovers...keeping other block frozen)
1 large MacIntosh apple
1 heaping tbsp. flour
2 heaping tbsps. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1. Peel, core and chop apple into coarse chunks and put into a medium bowl.
2. Add flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to apples and stir.
3. On a floured surface, roll out thawed puff pastry block into a rectangle and cut into 4 squares.
4. Divide apple mixture evenly amongst the 4 squares and run a wet finger along the edges of each square. Fold dough over, pinching edges to seal and bake on a parchment lined baking sheet in a 400 degree oven for approx. 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
5. Cool on a wire rack or serve warm!
Enjoy!