Cherry Turnovers

Aug 10, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pastries doughnuts Vanilla: Extract Medium

Golden cherry turnovers on a wire rack, one cut open to show the filling

Flaky puff pastry turnovers filled with a homemade cherry compote enhanced by pure vanilla extract, baked to golden perfection and topped with a sparkling sugar finish.

Prep 25 min

Cook 20 min

Cooling 15 min

Total 1 hr

Yield 8 turnovers

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

turnovers

1.0 lb (454.0 g)all-butter puff pastry, cold
1 ½ cups (360.0 g)fresh or frozen pitted tart cherries
¾ cup (150.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)fresh lemon juice
1.0 tbsp (8.0 g)cornstarch
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, for topping

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine cherries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cherries release juice and the sugar dissolves, about 7 minutes.
Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry. Stir slurry into cherry mixture and cook until thickened and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let cool slightly.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out cold puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch square. Cut into 8 equal squares.
In a small bowl, beat egg with water to make an egg wash.
Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the cherry filling onto the center of each pastry square, leaving a border around edges.
Brush edges with egg wash, then fold each square diagonally to form a triangle. Press edges firmly with a fork to seal well.
Transfer turnovers to the prepared baking sheet. Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle coarse sugar over them.
Chill turnovers in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up dough and reduce shrinkage during baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

Make sure to chill the turnovers before baking to prevent the pastry from shrinking and losing shape.
Using pure vanilla extract in the cherry filling enriches the flavor with a warm, fragrant note that enhances the fruit.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make cherry turnovers?

Plan on 25 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 15 minutes to chill and rest. The recipe makes 8 cherry turnovers.

How should I store cherry 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 5-7 minutes to restore flakiness.

Can I make cherry turnovers ahead?

Cherry filling can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated tightly covered.

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.

Flaky puff pastry turnovers filled with a homemade cherry compote enhanced by pure vanilla extract, baked to golden perfection and topped with a sparkling sugar finish.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

445 Calories / serving

22.3g Fat

56.4g Carbs

5.5g Protein

28.2g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~3560 cal · 178g fat · 451g carbs · 44g protein · 226g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 445 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 84 min·4.9 mi·~9850 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 60 min·3.0 mi·~6000 steps
Moderate cycling 45 min·9.0 mi
Swimming laps 62 min
Jogging 44 min·3.7 mi·~7050 steps
Stair climbing 41 min·~3700 steps
Dancing 72 min
Bodyweight circuit training 45 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 103 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.

Made with VanillaGoods

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