apple turnovers

Friday, November 25, 2011

It's not that I didn't enjoy eating these turnovers, or that they didn't taste and smell amazingly, I just wasn't happy with them.

I think the puff pastry got too warm from the husband leaving the heat and fireplace running 24/7, so the shapes weren't right and they weren't pretty. I like pretty things. I also like tasty things. These were tasty, not pretty.

The filling was everything I wanted it to be, it made my house smell like a really good scented candle. It was also crazy easy to make. I'm almost thinking you could roll some of the cooled filling into a whole wheat tortilla that's been spread with a thin layer of cream cheese. That would be an awesome and pretty snack.


Even though I don't think they are pretty, you should still make them. Out of the14 turnovers this batch made, I ate 2 and the husband ate 12. In a 16 hour period.

Apple turnovers
[  adapted from the kitchn ]

crust:
1 box puff pastry, thawed overnight in the fridge
1 egg, beaten
sugar for dusting (optional)

filling:
2 large baking apples, peeled and cored (I used gala)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch salt


Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.

For the filling, grate the apples on the large side of the box grater, set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat, add the grated apples, toss until well coated. Add the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is thick and syrupy. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter, let sit until mixture is room temperature.

Meanwhile, roll out puff pastry on a heavily floured surface to a 12x12-inch square. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut into 12 - 14 equal-sized squares.


Place a dollop-full of apple filling in the corner of each square, making sure to leave a 1/2-inch border. Pull the opposing side of the dough over, making sure the corners touch to make a triangle. Crimp the open end closed with a fork, transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Make sure each triangle is about an inch apart. Brush tops of triangle with egg and sprinkle with sugar, if using.

Bake for 15 - 18 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Best served the day of, but can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes.