Chelsea's Messy Apron

Simple, healthy recipes without sacrificing taste!

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Apple Turnover

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A simple apple turnover recipe made with store-bought puff pastry, filled with sugared apples, and coated in an easy glaze. 

After trying an apple turnover, make sure to give this apple crumble or this caramel apple cheesecake a try!

Up close photo of an apple turnover split in half to see the inside packed with sugared apples. Dripping glaze is coming down the apple turnover

Apple Turnover

Since I’ve known my husband, he’s always ordered an apple turnover whenever it’s been on the menu. After taking bites of the turnovers he’s had over the years, I’ve been determined to make him a better version at home. And this apple turnover recipe is just that — so much better than you’d find at any fast food restaurant! It’s soft, flaky, buttery, and best of all packed with cinnamon-sugared apples!
Step by Step Process Photo of making the apple turnover recipe -- showing the cut tart apples

Step by Step Process Photo of making the puff pastry apple turnover -- showing the size of the dough: 12 by 12 inches Step by Step Process Photo of making the apple turnover recipe -- showing the cut tart apples on a square and then the fork crimping the edges Apple Turnover Tips:

  1. Use a ruler: when measuring the size to cut the puff pastry dough, I highly recommend a ruler for precision — it removes any guessing for how thick/wide you need to roll it out!
  2. Grab tart apples: the sugar and other ingredients added to the filling are depending on tart/sour apples. I recommend Granny Smith apples for this apple turnover recipe otherwise you might end up with overly sweet turnovers.
  3. Line your tray with parchment paper: no matter how well you seal your apple turnovers, some have the tendency to “leak.” Save yourself a whole lot of hassle and clean up and line your tray before baking!

Step by Step Process Photo of making the apple turnover recipe -- showing the dough being crimped and egg wash over the dough Can you freeze apple turnovers?

Yes! Completely prepare the apple turnover recipe and before brushing on the egg mixture or baking, freeze the turnovers (on the tray). Once the turnovers are frozen, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and the place in an airtight freezer bag.

To bake frozen apple turnovers:

You can take each puff pastry apple turnover straight from the freezer (no need to thaw) and place on a parchment paper lined tray. Brush with the egg white mixture and bake for a few minutes longer (3-5) than if they were made fresh (watch carefully!)

Up close photo of a finished and glazed puff pastry apple turnover

More Dessert Recipes:

While this recipe is quite different from Ina Garten’s apple turnovers, I don’t have a video (yet) for this recipe, so you may find it helpful to watch her create them.

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Apple Turnover
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Chilling Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
A simple apple turnover recipe made with store-bought puff pastry, filled with sugared apples, and coated in an easy glaze. 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple turnover
Servings: 8 turnovers
Calories: 242 kcal
Author: Chelsea
Ingredients
Apple Turnover
  • 1 (17.3 ounces) package Puff Pastry Sheets I like Pepperidge Farm best
  • 4-5 large (4 cups chopped) granny smith apples (1 and 3/4ths pounds before being peeled/cored)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose white flour
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, light or dark (I use dark)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Egg Wash
  • 1 large egg + 1 tablespoon water, whisked together
  • Optional: coarse sugar for topping (or you can use cinnamon sugar*)
Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk (1%, 2%, or whole recommended)
Instructions

  1. Thaw the puff pastry completely in the fridge. 

  2. Prepare the apples by peeling them, removing the core, and chopping them into small pieces, no larger than 1/2 inch. Toss the chopped apples with the lemon juice.

  3. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the melted butter with flour to create a thick paste. Mix in the white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. Pour over the prepared apples and gently toss to coat.

  4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Unfold the thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Roll each piece of puff pastry into a 12 inch by 12 inch square (use a ruler if you have one!). Cut each 12 x 12 piece into 4 equal sections.

  5. Place a packed 1/3 cup of the apple mixture on top of each square of dough. Spread so the apples are in one even layer on the bottom third triangle of the dough (see photos in post). In a small bowl, whisk the egg with the water to create an egg wash. Brush that egg wash around the entire square of dough and then fold over one corner to the opposite corner. Using a fork, crimp the edges making sure they are all well sealed. Brush the egg wash over the entire pastry. Use a knife to cut 3 small slits in the top of the pastry. 

  6. If desired, sprinkle a teaspoon or so of coarse sugar over each pastries. Alternatively, you can sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon sugar over each pastry. 

  7. Place the pastries on a parchment lined sheet pan (line your pan to avoid a mess!) and into the fridge for 20 minutes (it's very important they go into the oven cold). 

  8. Place the turnovers on baking sheets and bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

  9. While the turnovers are baking, whisk together all of the glaze ingredients until smooth. If needed, add a little bit of milk to get a thinner consistency.

  10. Pour the glaze into a small plastic bag and cut off the tip. Pipe the glaze over the slightly cooled apple turnovers. Alternatively, spoon the glaze over.

  11. Enjoy while warm! Do not try to toast these later, but you can microwave them for 5-10 seconds to warm them up at another time.
Recipe Notes

To make your own cinnamon sugar: whisk together 1/4 cup white sugar with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.

Nutrition Facts for apple turnover

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Comments

  5. CakePants says

    Yum!! Wishing I had some of these for breakfast today (but instead, I’ll just go eat my cold cereal…*tiny violin*)! Perhaps if I can manage a trip to the store today, these will be on the menu for tomorrow’s breakfast 🙂

    Reply

  6. Beth @ bethcakes says

    I looove apple turnovers and I love that you made these mini versions! And I think it’s so cute you dedicated these to your friend! It’s awesome to have people like that supporting you. 🙂

    Reply

  9. Ashley says

    Mmmm I love pastries like this! And with that glaze and the sweet apples …. these look so good Chelsea! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend!

    Reply

  13. Mary Frances says

    My family would LOVE these! Turnovers are so fun to make and eat and apples are our favorite filling. Your drizzle is so gorgeous!

    Reply

  14. Melissa says

    I remember when I made chocolate croissants the Julia Child way with my best friend. It. took. hours. So I’m happy to see an alternative to the tedious dough! These look delicious and how sweet that your friend asked you for a recipe; it’s such a compliment!

    Reply

  15. marcie says

    I’m glad Grace gave you the inspiration for these, because they look delicious, Chelsea! I love anything in mini form, especially when it comes to pies and cheesecake. 🙂 YUM!

    Reply

  17. Chris @ Shared Appetite says

    Yes, love that you dedicated a post to your friend. So sweet. And these turnovers, oh my goodness they look amazing! I’m a fan of apple anything… and did you say this could be eaten for breakfast?!?! Sign me up!

    Reply

  18. Kelly says

    That’s so sweet that you dedicated this recipe and post to Grace – these look absolutely incredible! I love apple turnovers and the glaze looks heavenly! Hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend 🙂

    Reply

    • chelseamessyapron says

      Thank you Kelly! 🙂 It was such a fun time and we got to spend it with family 🙂 I hope you are having a great week so far!

      Reply

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