As summer slowly transitions into the crisp coolness of fall, there’s no better way to celebrate the change of seasons than by indulging in the classic comfort of apple desserts. There’s something truly magical about the blend of sweet, tart apples and warm, aromatic spices. Today, we’re going to delve into a mini apple turnover recipe that encapsulates these flavors.

Often, these turnovers are thought to be complex creations best left to professional bakers or prepackaged options. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that making apple turnovers at home is rather easy! With a few basic ingredients and some simple steps, you can bring the deliciousness of bakery-style apple turnovers right into your kitchen.

The trick to a successful apple turnover lies in its two crucial elements, the filling and the pastry. The filling combines sweet flavors of apples, sugar, and cinnamon, cooked together until the apples are soft and tender, combined with the sweetness of sugar and the warmth of cinnamon. The puff pastry, golden and flaky, forms the perfect wrap for this filling, creating a delightful contrast of textures in every bite.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own

For the apple filling:

• 4 medium-sized apples
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

For the turnovers:

• 1 package of puff pastry (2 sheets)
• 1 egg
• Additional sugar for sprinkling

For the vanilla glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Putting it all together

Let’s get started. First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, in a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the apples are soft. Once done, remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

While your apple mixture cools, unroll the thawed puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Each sheet is usually divided into three sections along the folds; cut each sheet along these lines, then cut each section in half. You should end up with 12 equal-sized pieces in total.

Carefully place a spoonful of the cooled apple mixture on one half of each piece, making sure not to overfill or get too close to the edge. Fold the other half of the pastry over the apple filling to form a triangle. Press the edges together to seal, then crimp with a fork to ensure they are well sealed.

Arrange your soon-to-be turnovers on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each one with the beaten egg, then sprinkle a little sugar on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the turnovers are puffed and golden.

Once baked, remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool further. Combine all ingredients for vanilla glaze and drizzle over the turnovers. You can serve them warm or at room temperature, offering a perfect bite of these delightful apple turnovers.

Some final touches

When choosing your apples, remember that any variety works well for this recipe. However, Granny Smith and Honey crisp apples are excellent choices due to their balance of sweet and tart flavors. You can also make the apple filling a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. This way, the flavors mix together even better. Also, ensure to seal the edges of the turnovers properly, as this will prevent the filling from spilling out while baking.

Baking with puff pastry is easy and creates a satisfying dessert. Check out our take on the viral upside-down puff pastry trend that’s all over TikTok!

Ready to dig in to these delicious mini apple turnovers? Dive into the recipe below.