Rustic Baked Cinnamon Apple Turnovers The Best Fall Dessert

As the crisp autumn air sweeps in, bringing with it a symphony of changing leaves and cozy evenings, there’s an undeniable craving for comforting, warm treats. And what could be more perfectly aligned with the spirit of fall than the delightful aroma of apples and cinnamon baking to golden perfection? These Rustic Baked Cinnamon Apple Turnovers are not just a dessert; they’re a warm embrace, a sweet memory waiting to be made, and the quintessential treat for any fall gathering or a quiet afternoon indulgence.
Forget complicated recipes and lengthy ingredient lists. This recipe is designed for simplicity without sacrificing flavor or that coveted homemade touch. We’re talking flaky pastry, tender spiced apples, and a glistening, slightly crisp exterior – all achieved with ease. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, these turnovers promise a rewarding and delicious experience.

Why These Apple Turnovers Are a Must-Try This Fall

There’s something inherently charming about a turnover. It’s like a personal pie, perfectly portioned and ready to be enjoyed. Our Rustic Baked Cinnamon Apple Turnovers take that charm and elevate it with a few key elements:

Flaky Perfection: We’ll be using a shortcut that makes achieving golden, flaky pastry incredibly simple, ensuring a tender bite every time.

Warm Spice Blend: The cinnamon and apple combination is a classic for a reason. We’ll craft a filling that’s perfectly spiced, allowing the natural sweetness of the apples to shine through.

Rustic Appeal: The beauty of these turnovers lies in their homemade look. Don’t worry about perfection; embrace the slightly irregular shapes and golden-brown edges that scream “freshly baked.”

Versatility: Enjoy them warm on their own, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of whipped cream. They’re fantastic for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

The Heart of the Turnover: Choosing Your Apples

The success of any apple dessert begins with the right apples. For turnovers, you want apples that hold their shape well when baked, offering a pleasant texture rather than turning into mush. They should also provide a good balance of sweetness and tartness.
Here are some excellent choices for your apple turnovers:

Granny Smith: A classic for baking, Granny Smiths are tart and firm. They hold their shape beautifully and provide a wonderful contrast to the sweet cinnamon. If you prefer a tarter turnover, this is your go-to.

Honeycrisp: Known for its crisp texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor, Honeycrisp apples are fantastic in baked goods. They maintain a good bite and have a delightful natural sweetness.

Fuji: Sweet and firm, Fuji apples are another great option that bakes well without becoming too soft.

Braeburn: These offer a complex flavor that’s both sweet and slightly tart, with a firm texture ideal for baking.

Golden Delicious: While sweeter, Golden Delicious apples soften nicely but still maintain some structure, contributing a lovely mellow flavor.

Pro Tip: For a more complex flavor profile, consider using a combination of two different apple varieties – perhaps one tart (like Granny Smith) and one sweeter (like Honeycrisp or Fuji). This blend creates a harmonious balance that will truly make your turnovers sing.

Crafting the Irresistible Apple Filling

The apple filling is where the magic happens. It’s a simple combination of diced apples, warming spices, and a touch of sweetness that transforms into a luscious, tender core for your turnovers.

Ingredients for the Filling:

4 medium apples (about 4 cups diced), peeled, cored, and finely diced

1/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to your apple’s sweetness and preference)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional, but highly recommended for depth)

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (to thicken the juices)

1 tablespoon lemon juice (prevents browning and brightens flavor)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Steps for the Filling:

Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and finely dice your chosen apples. Aim for pieces that are roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch in size. Smaller pieces will cook more evenly and be easier to enclose in the pastry. Place them in a large bowl.
Add Lemon Juice: Drizzle the lemon juice over the diced apples and toss gently. This prevents oxidation (browning) and adds a bright, fresh note that cuts through the sweetness.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and flour.
Toss with Apples: Add the dry spice mixture to the apples and toss thoroughly until all the apple pieces are evenly coated. The flour will help absorb the apple juices released during baking, creating a thicker, more cohesive filling.
Add Melted Butter: Pour the melted butter over the apple mixture and toss again. The butter adds richness and helps with the caramelization of the apples.
Set Aside: Let the filling sit for about 10-15 minutes while you prepare your pastry. This allows the flavors to meld and the apples to start releasing some of their juices.

The Secret to Flaky Pastry: A Simple Shortcut

While making puff pastry from scratch is a labor of love, we’re aiming for “quick & easy” here. The secret weapon for perfectly flaky turnovers without the fuss? Store-bought puff pastry. It’s readily available in the freezer section of most grocery stores and yields incredible results.

What You’ll Need for the Pastry:

1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions

1 large egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)

1 tablespoon water (mixed with egg for egg wash)

Coarse sugar or turbinado sugar (for sprinkling)

Preparation Steps for Pastry:

Thaw the Puff Pastry: This is crucial. Puff pastry needs to be thawed but still cold. If it’s too warm, it becomes difficult to work with and loses its flakiness. Most packages suggest thawing in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 30-40 minutes.
Prepare Work Surface: Lightly flour a clean work surface.
Unroll Pastry: Carefully unroll one sheet of thawed puff pastry. If it cracks, don’t worry! You can gently press the cracks together with your fingers.
Cut into Squares: Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut each sheet of puff pastry into four equal squares. You’ll get 8 squares total from two sheets. (Each sheet typically yields 4 squares, resulting in 8 turnovers.)
Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. This will be brushed over the turnovers before baking to give them a beautiful golden sheen and help the coarse sugar adhere.

Assembling Your Rustic Baked Cinnamon Apple Turnovers

Now comes the fun part – assembling these delightful parcels!

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Place Filling: Take one pastry square and place about 2-3 tablespoons of the apple filling onto one half of the square, leaving a border around the edges. Don’t overfill, or it will be difficult to seal.
Moisten Edges: Dip your finger in the egg wash and lightly brush it along the edges of the pastry square, all around the filling. This acts as a “glue” to seal the turnover.
Fold and Seal: Carefully fold the empty half of the pastry over the filling, creating a triangle shape. Gently press down along the edges to seal.
Crimp the Edges: Using the tines of a fork, crimp the edges of the turnover firmly. This not only creates a pretty pattern but also ensures a good seal, preventing the filling from leaking out during baking.
Vent the Top: Using a small, sharp knife, make 2-3 small slits on the top of each turnover. These vents allow steam to escape, preventing the pastry from bursting and ensuring even baking.
Egg Wash and Sugar: Carefully transfer the assembled turnovers to the prepared baking sheets. Brush the tops of each turnover generously with the egg wash. This will give them that beautiful golden-brown color.
Sprinkle with Sugar: Liberally sprinkle coarse sugar or turbinado sugar over the tops of the turnovers. This adds a lovely crunch and sparkling finish.

Baking to Golden Perfection

Baking these turnovers is the final step to transforming them into irresistible treats.

Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, deeply golden brown, and the filling is bubbling slightly. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
Cool: Once baked, carefully remove the turnovers from the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. While they are delicious warm, allowing them to cool slightly helps the filling set.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

These Rustic Baked Cinnamon Apple Turnovers are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:

Warm and Plain: A classic choice. The warm pastry and spiced apples are perfect on their own.

With a Scoop of Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting over a warm turnover is pure bliss.

Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light and airy contrast.

Caramel Drizzle: For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle warm caramel sauce over the turnovers.

Maple Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar with a little maple syrup and a touch of milk to create a simple glaze to drizzle on top.

Add Nuts: For extra texture and flavor, finely chop some walnuts or pecans and add them to the apple filling.

Other Spices: Feel free to experiment with other warming spices like a pinch of ground ginger or allspice in the apple filling.

Storage Tips

Room Temperature: Cooled turnovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.

Refrigeration: For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days.

Reheating: To enjoy them warm again, simply pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also briefly warm them in a toaster oven.

Freezing (Unbaked): You can prepare the turnovers up to the point of brushing with egg wash and freezing them on a baking sheet until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place them frozen on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Freezing (Baked): Fully baked and cooled turnovers can also be frozen for up to 1-2 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat as desired.

A Taste of Autumn in Every Bite

There’s a special joy that comes from baking, especially when the results are as comforting and delicious as these Rustic Baked Cinnamon Apple Turnovers. The aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake is a promise of the deliciousness to come, a scent that embodies the very essence of autumn.
Whether you’re making them for a holiday gathering, a weekend brunch, or simply to treat yourself and your loved ones, these turnovers are sure to be a hit. They’re a testament to the fact that sometimes, the simplest ingredients and methods can yield the most profound culinary pleasures. So, embrace the season, gather your apples, and get ready to create some truly unforgettable fall desserts. Happy baking!