Easy Apple Turnovers

What are the Best Apples for Turnovers ?

When it comes to pies and pastries, not all apples are created equal! Choose the variety that best suits your taste buds. Tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Haralson, will make very flavorful pies. Braeburn or Gala apples will provide good texture and a slightly sweeter flavor.

When it comes to fresh-picked vs. pre-packaged apples, there is even more to consider for your turnover recipe.

Fresh-Picked Apples:

Not only do you get the chance to go apple picking with your loved ones, but you’ll get fresh, flavorful apples for all your baking needs, too! The only possible downside is that you will be limited to what varieties are in season at the time. Here are some common types you may encounter:

Jonathan: sweet and juicy

Cortland: sweet and firm

Honeycrisp: sweet and crisp

Haralson: tart and crisp

Pre-Packaged Apples:

It is more convenient to go to the grocery store and grab a bag of apples, and most apples at the store have a significantly longer shelf-life than those picked fresh from the tree. However, they don’t always have the same depth of flavor, but you will have a greater variety to choose from at all times of the year.

Here are some common varieties that work well for your apple turnover dessert:

Gala: mild and crisp

Braeburn: sweet and juicy

Pink Lady: sweet-tart and firm

Granny Smith: tart and firm

How to Make Dessert Turnovers

For the full details on how to make this recipe, be sure to head to the recipe steps below. Here’s the basic rundown on how to make this easy turnover recipe.

Cook the Apple Mixture

In a small saucepan, cook the apples, brown sugar, water and lemon juice until the mixture is bubbly and the apples are tender. Mix flour, sugar and salt in a bowl, then stir the mixture into the apples and continue to cook until the mixture thickens. Take the pan off the heat and stir in butter and vanilla; let everything cool. Congrats: You just made homemade apple pie filling!

Assemble the Turnover

Take one of your refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts out of the fridge and package to allow it to warm up slightly, then unroll it on a cookie sheet. Spoon the apple filling on top of half of the pie dough, leaving a border for sealing. Make a quick egg wash with an egg and water, then brush egg wash over the edge of the crust (this helps seal the pie dough together and gives it a slight golden sheen). Fold the pie dough over onto itself to make a big half-moon shape; firmly seal the edges (we don’t want to lose any of those homemade filling) and flute as desired. Cut a few slits in the top of the crust and brush the top with the rest of the egg wash.

Tip

Though a fluted edge looks really beautiful, for beginner bakers, we are partial to the forked edge crust for these apple turnovers; not only does it look pretty, but it’s functional in that it keeps the pie extra well-sealed during baking.

Bake and Serve

Bake the turnover until golden brown and baked through, then cut into 4 triangles and serve warm or cool.

Decorating Your Turnovers

Apple turnovers are beautiful baked as-is, but if you’re into bedazzling your desserts, there are many different ways to make the prettiest Pillsbury turnovers.

Sprinkled Toppings: Sprinkle cinnamon and coarse sugar over the top of your turnover after brushing with the egg mixture (before baking). You can also dust the top of your turnovers with powdered sugar after baking.

Drizzled Toppings: Topping your turnovers with caramel sauce after baking will give you the caramel apple flavor you crave. Hot fudge sauce and warmed dulce de leche are also delicious alternatives. You can also make a simple powdered sugar icing to drizzle on top of your turnovers before serving.

Serve-Withs: We love to eat warm apple turnovers with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a mound of fresh whipped cream.

Have Extra Pillsbury™ Pie Crust? Use a small cookie cutter to make decorations out of your second pie crust in the package to attach to your turnover before baking, such as leaves or hearts. You can also get creative with how you flute your pie crust, whether pinching scalloped edges or adding a herringbone pattern with a fork. Use your imagination for the prettiest presentation.

How to Store Leftover Apple Turnovers

Pillsbury apple turnovers are best when served the day they are made, but they do keep for a couple days after baking if you store them correctly. Be sure to allow the turnovers to cool completely, then store them as follows:

Room Temperature: Tightly cover leftover turnovers with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store at room temperature for up to two days.

In the Fridge: Tightly cover leftover turnovers with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the refrigerator for up to four days.

In the Freezer: Tightly cover your leftover turnovers with plastic wrap, then place in a resealable food-storage plastic bag and seal. Freeze for up to four months. When you’re ready to eat the turnovers, unwrap them and let them thaw at room temperature for one hour. Reheat in the oven on a cookie sheet at 375°F until heated through.