It’s official. It must be nearing the end of summer. I’ve exchanged my kayak paddle for kitchen tools it seems. Nowadays, when I’m not out shopping for ingredients, you’ll likely find me in the kitchen using them, or as Fisherman likes to say, ‘whipping something up’, like these delicious apple turnovers, tomato sauce and soup.
Now my friends. Listen up. These turnovers are addicting. Dangerous even.
I’ve been making these nearly every Autumn for years. I’m not a lover of raw apples, but cook them up a bit and you’ve got one happy lady (and an even happier Fisherman), and these turnovers are just about the best way to use them in my not so humble opinion.
What is it about apple turnovers that make them seem more like a breakfast item than apple pie? Isn’t it basically the same thing just shaped differently? Just another one of life’s never-ending mysteries I suppose. Whatever it is, while I can easily resist a slice of pie, these turnovers? Not so much.
I wish I could take the credit for this recipe, but nope, the recipe belongs to Ina Garten. If you want to see a video on how to make them go here, but I’ll also type everything out for you so you can print it out or pin it if you’d like.
Apple Turnovers with Dried Cherries
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3-4 apples such as Granny Smith, Empire, Ginger Gold, Zestar, Pippin. Basically, any apple good for cooking is fine. I used a combo of Ginger Gold and Zestar because that's what was available at the farm stand.
- 3 tablespoons dried cherries if you don't have cherries, cranberries are a decent substitute
- 3 tablespoons sugar plus some more to sprinkle on top
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg fresh is preferred
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 package of frozen puff pastry defrosted according to package directions
- 1 small egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
- Combine orange zest and juice in a bowl, then peel your apples and cut them into small 3/4 inch diced pieces. Toss them immediately in the orange juice mixture.
- Add the cherries, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and gently mix.
- Flour a board lightly and roll out each sheet of puff pastry to around a 12" square. Cut each sheet into 4 smaller squares. At this point you may want to put the squares in the refrigerator for a few minutes to chill them a bit. Bring out four squares only (you don't want the rest to get soft while you're working) and brush each edge with the egg wash and place about 1/3 cup of the apple mixture on the square. Fold the pastry diagonally over and seal with a fork or your fingers. I used my fingers but a fork would look nicer and probably create a better seal.
- Using a spatula, transfer the turnovers to a sheet pan lined with parchment. Place the sheet pan in the refrigerator while you work on the remaining four sheets.
- When they're all ready, brush each with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar, make some perforations with a fork or a couple of slits with a sharp knife and bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on your oven. (I ended up baking for about 18 minutes).
- Serve warm (Yum!) or at room temperature.
Don’t forget to PinIt!
In other news…
Have you ever heard of scatolone tomatoes? Me either. I checked on line and found out they’re considered one of the best San Marzano varieties. Score! Ten bucks for the bushel. I’ve got some cooking in the oven right now and can’t wait to see what the sauce tastes like.
I saw this little guy yesterday. Beautiful, but I’m sad to see Autumn come so quickly. Since it’s been so dry here this summer, I think the leaves will turn quickly and fall off the trees even quicker. The beautiful foliage we experience here in New England probably will suffer this year.
Now just because I’m cooking my tush off and seeing leaves fall already, doesn’t mean I’m ready to store my kayak for the winter! I’ll leave you all with this thought…
Enjoy your long weekend!
Sharing At
Cooking & Crafting
Emily says
I’ve made apple pie but if I ever made turnovers. These look delicious and I know they would be addicting here! I’m saving the recipe too Doreen. I’m not familiar with scatolone tomatoes but I love all tomatoes. Let us know how the sauce comes out, the recipe too maybe 🙂 I’m afraid the leaves will be gone here before they change colors, so dry.
Wishing you a wonderful Labor Day weekend…………
Marsha says
Doreen, the apple/cherry turnovers look so yummy. I would love to give it a try. I wonder if I would like it just as much if I used dried cranberries. I have a huge bag my sister gave me, but do not use it up all that fast except for cookies. This looks so much better. Yum Yum Yum! It is getting cooler here too and it is perfect temperatures for baking, but I am not in a great hurry to give up my more active life like that in summer. Winter will have me indoors long enough. So keep on kayaking, but I am glad you could bake up this wonderful treat. Warm hugs, Marsha
Cecilia says
Haha, well my first comment will be about the last part of your post…too funny! I agree…Fall isn’t until the end of September! Everyone is rushing the pumpkin pie spice and now we have a reason to resist it. Ha!
Funny, our trees are dropping leaves too. Only they are pretty like yours. And with the late August rains, it’s green like Springtime.
Ok, now for the turnovers…I want one! Yum, yum! Going to have to make some, I think!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
I have made many a pie but not turnovers…I’ll have to try these.
I am SO NOT INTERESTED in seeing pumpkins, decorated pumpkins, blinged pumpkins, fall vignettes etc. way too early so the end of your post just cracked me up !!
Brenda says
Looks and sounds delicious! I seem to remember these from when I was a child. We had an earthquake here this morning 50 miles from Tulsa. I’m looking for fall. Not an earthquake! Shook the apartment. Weird feeling I’ve never felt before.
Brenda
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
LOL Doreen!!! I am not ready to hang up on summer either. Cherishing these last few weeks. It has been beautiful here in Chicago land. Had the windows open this week end. Gorgeous just gorgeous. They are saying we will be back at 90’s by the mid week. So summer here is not letting go just yet.
Hugs,
Kris
tammy j says
tis I.
I who do not cook nor even bake anymore.
I may just have to try these apple turnovers.
I could literally smell their heavenly scent from here.
in the middle of the country.
the barefoot contessa is a favorite of mine.
and it goes without saying that YOU are a favorite.
so…
yes. i’ll find my rusty unused kitchen tools and give them a whirl.
xo
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
I loved the end of your post! how funny and how true.. I’m not ready yet either for pumpkins, hot chocolate or Halloween! Too early for all that fuss. The turnovers do look scrummy though (yummy and scrumptious).. my mom made little turnovers all the time… she would make a big pie, then the last bit of dough she would put into a small pie plat, maybe 4″ round.. then fill with the rest of the pie mix, or some homemade strawberry or blackberry jam.. and bake it with the pie. That little turnover was our favorite.. us 4 sisters would each get a quarter piece. I like the sound of apples with raisins for my filling, as love raisins.. but may try it with the dried cherries.. I even have some little glass pie plates I’ve been stocking up on for some little turnovers! Happy baking!
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
OH my goodness does this sound amazing!! My mouth is drooling as I print the recipe, at the same time laughing hysterically at the end of your post. It’s truly not a pretty picture – but man am I having fun!! 😛
Okay, I get it and will try to tone down my Fall enthusiasm. I’m actually doing pretty well as I haven’t put out one Fall decoration yet! Not promising it won’t happen in the near future though. You still love me, though right? (insert blinking innocent eyes here).
I hope the prediction is wrong and your nature there still gives you a magnificent display!! Blessings on the rest of your holiday weekend Doll. xoxo
kim says
Hi Doreen!
I’ve never had cherries and apple together either, but it sure looks good. I’m off anything that’s sweet so I can’t have it, but would love to.
I’m not at all ready for Fall. I was just telling Tim today how much I missed seeing the maple leaves colours and the might oak trees. I bet it is beautiful there!
Summer says
These look absolutely delicious! Happy Monday to you ♥
summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com
Cindi says
Those turnovers look SO good!!!!
Yum.
Wish someone would make me some! LOL!
I’m not ready for Fall either.
It hit 88 degrees today and 90 tomorrow, that’s the Midwest for ya!
I’m not ready for Fall but I’ve been doing Halloween illustrations
because I have to get them out there…
Next week I guess I’ll start on Christmas! AARRGGHH!!!!
Great post!
xoxo
Julie says
Hi Doreen, these turnovers look and sound so good and perfect for fall!
Thanks for sharing at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
Enjoy the week.
Julie xo
kelly says
That quote is pretty funny! I’ve never heard it before. It’s definitely still summer here but I will admit that I’ve been making some changes with my decor despite it. Those apple turnovers look yummy! I love anything with cooked apples in it. I’ve never heard of those tomatoes before. I hope they were good.
Amy says
Doreen, I am howling from that fall “note!” And I’m drooling from the turnovers…I guess I’m quite a sight right now! Pinning the recipe – sound so yummy!
Jemma says
Good Morning Doreen,
I savored this recipe while I was reading the list of ingredients and enjoying my first cup of morning coffee.
I can certainly see why they are a tradition for you each Fall. What perfect ingredients.
(sharing)
Oh and these tomatoes- Seriously you scored big. Any tomato that is a relation to the wonderful, tasty, tender
San Marzano is a winner. I tried to find a variety of San Marzano tomatoes plants last Spring for our garden, but no luck. Seems that everything that I truly want to grow needs a more arid climate.
I’ll try not to wish Summer away-just for you!
xo
Jemma
Vera says
Doreen how I would love to see some leaves being painted by Mother Nature but it’s been so hot and humid in Philadelphia. Today is 95, totally too hot when I am day dreaming of all the crispness and splendor of Autumn. Now I am ever so thankful for this post. Sunday bunch guests will enjoy your apple turnovers with dried cherries. Gorgeous photography – as always you capture the true essence of your subject. What a score with those tomatoes, enjoy. Oh and your PS cracked me up, especially since I adore pumpkins for their shape but not a pumpkin everything eater. Sure I enjoy a piece of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving but who needs to be constipated. Great post!
xoxo,
Vera
Jess says
These sound SO amazing!!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
AnnMarie says
Yum, I have never made apple turnovers. Thanks for the recipe. Can you tell me where you got the form for the recipe to make it printable? I got one that I can’t figure out! Anyways, I will be baking up a storm myself soon because of the season. I have already been buying the ingredients. I have a bowl of tomatoes I have been meaning to roast too. I will be really, really mad if our hot summer ruins our Fall…..mother nature, don’t go there!
Cindy says
Hi Doreen, these sound and look delicious. Big Ina Garten fan. How did I miss these, used to watch her all the time. I can’t wait to try these and thanks for the recipe.
Lucky score with the tomatoes. They are t he only brand I buy. I have to get mine online and the deal isn’t bad for a case.
I think fall will be a bust as far as l eaves this year. You are right dry is not good for color.
Cindy
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
The turnovers look yummy! I saw a comment mentionning cranberries and I also thought it would be a lovely fall-y combination.
Red Rose Alley says
Oh my gosh, I haven’t had apple turnovers in such a long time. These look amazing! And I think the cherries really add something extra to them. : ) YUMMY.
~Sheri
Red Rose Alley says
I tried commenting on the guest bedroom post, but it wouldn’t let me, so thought I’d comment here. You have lots of great ideas to spruce up the guest bedroom for your daughter and her husband when they come for Thanksgiving. Jess will have Thanksgiving at her house this year, and looking forward to no cooking hehehe. OK, I will make the pies. : ) I hope you do a post about the guest bedroom so we can see all the creativity.
~Sheri