Apple Cream Cheese Turnovers

What's more delicious than an apple cream cheese turnover? Or are these hand pies? Is there a difference? I'm not sure, but I do know that this is my new favorite pastry breakfast. These turnovers are chock full of spiced apples and fluffy cream cheese that melts in your mouth. The flaky crust is drizzled in a thick cinnamon cream cheese icing and is the perfect amount of sweetness.

These turnovers come together quickly and can be made in the morning before your family rises, but they are also delicious cold from the refrigerator with a hot cup of coffee!

Apples

I made these turnovers with tangy Granny apples. I wanted an apple that could be baked without becoming mushy and one that had some tang to cut the sweetness. These were perfect! They are coarsely chopped and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. You want to cook your apples until they are softened, but not completely broken down. My kids kept sneaking bites out of the pan - little stinkers!

Crust

I used my favorite pie crust for these turnovers. It's an excellent recipe from Six Figures Under and I usually have several crusts in the freezer at any given time. I used this same recipe for my popular peach hand pie too! You can use it for savory dishes as well - I love it in my chicken pot pie. It is a shortening based dough - if you are new to crusts, you will appreciate it's forgiving nature. 

Yum

Apple Cream Cheese Turnovers

By Jenny Rodriguez

These flaky turnovers are filled with cinnamon spiced Granny apples and layered with fluffy cream cheese. Incredibly delicious and perfect for a Sunday morning.


Prep time: 20
Cook time: 20
Total time: 40

Yield: 5 large turnovers


Ingredients:

2 raw pie crusts (store bought or homemade)

1 tbsp butter

2 small Granny apples, peeled and coarsely chopped

2 tbsp + 1/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

2 tbsp all purpose flour

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1 egg

1-2 tbsp milk


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Roll out pie dough and cut 10 circles about 4-5" in diameter. This will make 5 good sized turnovers. You can make them smaller or larger depending upon your needs.

In a medium sized pan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Once butter has melted, add chopped apples, 2 tbsp of brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and nutmeg. Gently toss in pan and continue to cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Apples should be tender, but not completely broken down. Remove from heat and set aside

In a small bowl combine flour, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, white sugar, remaining 1/4 cup of brown sugar, vanilla and cream cheese. Using a hand mixer, whip mixture together until it is light and fluffy. Set aside 1/4 cup of the cream cheese filling for the glaze.

On an ungreased cookie sheet, lay out 5 pie crust rounds. Spread a good sized spoonful of the cream cheese mixture. Spread around crust, leaving about 1/4 -1/2" border. Lay a 1/4 cup of the apple mixture on top of the cream cheese layer. Top with another pie crust and pinch edges together. You can make a decorative border if so desired.

Beat the egg and paint on the pie crust tops. Cut 4 venting holes in the crust with a sharp knife. Bake for 17- 20 minutes or until turnovers are a golden brown.

While turnovers are baking, add the 1/4 cup of reserved cream cheese filling to a small bowl. Add 1-2 tbsp of milk and blend until it is an icing consistency.

Once the pies come out of the oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes and then heavily drizzle tops with the cream cheese frosting. These are amazing hot from the oven, but they also can be enjoyed cold. You can refrigerate leftovers for 2 days, if any remain.

Kids in the Kitchen

Since I have 3 kids at home, I try to get them in the kitchen as much as possible. In baking there truly is a ton of science and precision needed. And well it's yummy and fun. I also find they open up about what's on their mind while our hands are busy making meals. 

There are several steps in this recipe that can be done by kids of various ages. They can pick the apples, peel them and chop them coarsely. Have them add the spices and whip the icing, too. Such amazing life skills and bonding moments with a delicious breakfast when you're done.

XO,

Jenny