Flaky all-butter puff pastry filled with a creamy vanilla-scented cream cheese filling and tender cinnamon-spiced apples, baked until golden and topped with a coarse sugar crunch.
Apple Cream Cheese Turnovers
Ingredients
Scales from a half to a double batch. Laminated and yeasted doughs are easiest to handle one batch at a time; bake extra pans in rounds.
- 1.0 lb (454.0 g)all-butter puff pastry, cold
- 2.0 large (300.0 g)apples (preferably Granny Smith), peeled, cored and diced
- 1.0 tbsp (14.0 g)unsalted butter
- 2.0 tbsp (25.0 g)granulated sugar
- 1.0 tsp (2.6 g)ground cinnamon
- 6.0 oz (170.0 g)cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (50.0 g)granulated sugar
- 1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
- 1.0 large (50.0 g)egg
- 1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)water
- 2.0 tbsp (25.0 g)coarse sugar (turbinado or sanding sugar), for topping
Make it at home
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The vanilla
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, 2 tbsp sugar, and ground cinnamon; cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but not mushy, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Roll out the chilled puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 12x12-inch (30x30 cm) square. Cut into 8 equal squares.
- Spread about 1 tbsp of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each square, then top with 2 tbsp of the cooled apple mixture.
- Fold each square into a triangle, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork to ensure they don't open while baking.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash. Brush the top of each turnover lightly with the egg wash, then sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Place the turnovers on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up the pastry.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the turnovers are puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.
Tips
- Make sure the apple filling is cooled completely before assembling to prevent soggy pastry.
- Use pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a strong vanilla flavor in the cream cheese filling.
Recipe FAQ
How long does it take to make apple cream cheese turnovers?
Plan on 30 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking, plus 15 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 8 turnovers.
How should I store apple cream cheese turnovers?
Store leftover turnovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes to restore crispness.
Can I make apple cream cheese turnovers ahead?
Assemble the turnovers and chill on the baking sheet, covered, for up to a day before baking.
Can I use a different form of vanilla?
Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.
Estimated · per serving
Nutrition
Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.
Whole recipe (8 servings): ~3848 cal · 247g fat · 363g carbs · 51g protein · 139g sugar
Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.
Per serving · 481 calories
What it takes to burn one serving
- Brisk walking 91 min·5.3 mi·~10650 steps
- Walking uphill or incline treadmill 65 min·3.3 mi·~6500 steps
- Moderate cycling 49 min·9.8 mi
- Swimming laps 67 min
- Jogging 47 min·3.9 mi·~7500 steps
- Stair climbing 44 min·~3950 steps
- Dancing 78 min
- Bodyweight circuit training 49 min
- Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 112 min
Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.
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