Flaky all-butter puff pastry envelopes a smooth, lightly sweetened cream cheese filling with pure vanilla. These golden turnovers are perfect for breakfast or an elegant snack.
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
- 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 largeegg, for egg wash
- 1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)water, for egg wash
- 2.0 tbsp (25.0 g)coarse sugar, for sprinkling
Make it at home
-
The vanilla
Madagascar Vanilla Extract, 2 oz Bottle
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- Must-have French Rolling Pin Tapered ends give you even, thin dough with total control. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
- Makes it easier OXO Silicone Pastry Brush An even egg wash for a glossy, golden finish. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
- Worth the upgrade Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pan The heavy aluminum pan bakeries use: even browning, no warping. View on Amazon › (opens in a new tab)
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the cold puff pastry into a 12 x 12-inch (30 x 30 cm) square. Cut into 8 equal squares.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling in the center of each puff pastry square, leaving about a 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) border around the edges.
- Brush the edges of each square with a little water to help seal. Fold each square diagonally to form a triangle, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork to ensure they’re well sealed.
- Transfer the turnovers to the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops and edges of each turnover with the egg wash.
- Sprinkle the coarse sugar evenly over the tops of the turnovers for a sparkling finish.
- Chill the turnovers in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to help them hold their shape during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until the turnovers are puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Use cold puff pastry and chill the turnovers before baking to ensure maximum flakiness.
- For extra vanilla flavor, substitute half the vanilla extract with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste.
Recipe FAQ
How long does it take to make cream cheese turnovers?
Plan on 25 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 15 minutes to chill and rest. The recipe makes 8 turnovers.
How should I store cream cheese turnovers?
Store leftover turnovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; reheat gently in a 350°F (175°C) oven to restore crispness.
Can I make cream cheese turnovers ahead?
Assemble the turnovers and refrigerate for up to 24 hours 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): ~3512 cal · 237g fat · 294g carbs · 52g protein · 85g sugar
Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.
Per serving · 439 calories
What it takes to burn one serving
- Brisk walking 83 min·4.8 mi·~9700 steps
- Walking uphill or incline treadmill 59 min·3.0 mi·~5900 steps
- Moderate cycling 45 min·9.0 mi
- Swimming laps 62 min
- Jogging 43 min·3.6 mi·~6900 steps
- Stair climbing 41 min·~3700 steps
- Dancing 71 min
- Bodyweight circuit training 45 min
- Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 102 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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