Apple Turnovers...

Like I promised last night, tonight is another gift from the kitchen.  My husband loves apple turnovers.  He will request them at any given moment, and sometimes I give in, and sometimes I don't. I have made these in many different variations.  These tonight are the best ones I have ever made.  This recipe essentially makes a homemade puff pastry.  Don't be scared.  It is much easier than you would think.  It just takes a little time to chill in between steps.

If you are chicken and want to take a shortcut, pick up a package of puff pastry in the freezer section. It will be delicious too.  I share this recipe as a gift idea, especially if you can deliver them warm.  There are several neighbors I have that would gladly welcome this sweet treat.  Especially if they are delivered with a little ice cream.

Like I mentioned before, apples are in season now, so they are very inexpensive right now. I think I paid $0.62 a pound for some today. Making the puff pastry is very inexpensive and makes this a low cost treat.  Just don't count the calories.

The finished product...with a side of ice cream.

Mix together flour and salt.

Add butter.

Use a pastry blender and cut in butter until it resembles coarse meal.

Using a fork, mix until a dough ball forms.

The completed dough ball.

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface.

Roll into a 12 x 6 rectangle.

Thinly slice reserved butter and place 1/2 on 2/3's of the dough.

Fold the dough over and into 1/3.

Roll back into a 12 x 6 sheet.

Add reserved 1/2 of the butter on the other 2/3's.  Does this resemble alphabet soup?

Fold again in 1/3. 

And again...

Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Roll into a 12 x 6 inch sheet....this is the last time, I promise

Fold in half lengthwise...

And in half again.  Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for about an hour.

Meanwhile, make the filling... Melt a tablespoon of butter in a heavy skillet.

Peel, core and chop two apples.

Add apples to the butter.

Add cinnamon and nutmeg.

Add a little sugar.  Stir and allow to caramelize. 

Make a slurry of water and flour and mix well.

Add the slurry to the apple mixture and let it tighten up.

The apple mixture is finished, and now it needs to cool for a little while.

Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator.

Unfold the dough.

Roll out into a square.

Cut dough into 9 even squares.  Mine aren't perfect, but close enough!

Mix an egg and water together.  

Brush the pastry with the egg wash and add the apple filling. Fold the dough over and seal the edges with a fork.  

Don't they look pretty???

Move to a baking sheet  cut 3 slits in the top of the turnover.  Brush the tops with the egg wash.

Mix together powdered sugar and milk.

Drizzle glaze over your warm turnovers...They are almost ready to enjoy with a scoop of ice cream.

The final product...plated up and delicious!

Apple Turnovers

1 cup of flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter, divided
1/4 cup water, plus a few tablespoons if needed

Filling:
1 tablespoon butter
2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon water
1 egg
2 tablespoons water

Glaze
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon milk

In a small bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in 1/4 cup butter until crumbly.  Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms.  On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12 x 6 inch rectangle.

Cut remaining butter into thin slices.  Starting at a short side of the dough, arrange half of the butter slices over two-thirds of rectangle within 1/2 inch of the edges.  Fold unbuttered third of dough over the middle third.  Fold remaining third over the middle, forming a 6 x 4 inch rectangle.  Roll dough into a 12 x 6 inch rectangle.

Repeat steps of butter layering and dough folding, ending with a 6 x 4 inch rectangle.  Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 15 minutes.  Roll dough into a 12 x 6 inch rectangle.  Fold in half lengthwise and then widthwise.  Wrap in plastic wrap;  refrigerate for 1 hour.

Meanwhile in a heavy skillet, melt butter.  Add apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar.  Stir and cook until the apples are tender.  Mix together water and flour.  Add to apple mixture and allow to thicken.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.

In a small bowl, combine egg and water.  Beat with a fork until smooth.

Roll dough into a 12 inch square;  Cut into 9 even squares.  Brush with egg mixture and spoon about 1/4 cup filling on each square;  fold dough over filling.  Press edges with a fork to seal.  Place on an ungreased baking sheet.  Brush with remaining egg mixture.  With a sharp knife, cut three small slits in the top of each turnover.

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until light golden brown.  Remove to a wire rack. (Or, if in a hurry, glaze on the pan.) Drizzle glaze over the turnovers and serve warm.

I hope you enjoy these turnovers as much as we did.  Enjoy a few, and share the others with your neighbors.  I know they will love them! Sorry for so many pictures, but not too sure how to illustrate without all the pictures...

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah