Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry and Cranberries

Apple Turnovers with Puff Pastry use Granny Smith apples and dried cranberries. Both are mellowed out with an apple jelly mixture and baked to golden perfection with this apple turnover recipe.

Here ya go! Easy apple turnovers with puff pastry that just happens to be premade and vegan. All it takes is a few tweaks and just a few more ingredients to get six beautiful fruit turnovers.

I'll show you simple step by step instructions for this apple turnover recipe and you will think it came from one of the finest bakeries.

It is really nice that we have so many dried fruit options to choose from in our grocery stores. It didn't use to be like this. You use to have to wait for Christmas season to get your cranberry on.

Fall is just around the corner, and in a home baker's mind, that means one thing: Apple Season!

And what better way than using some of these delicious farm apples than in a simple apple turnover recipe.

These turnovers are SO GOOD. You might think that it takes a lot of work to bake turnovers but it doesn't.

Especially when you already have the pastry ready to go. No kneading and folding necessary.

These delicious baked goods have just seven simple ingredients.

Ingredients for Apple Cranberry Turnovers

• Vegan puff pastry - You’ll find prepared puff pastry sheets in the freezer aisle of your grocery store. They come two to a pack, so thaw one for your turnovers (follow the instructions on the box) and keep the other one in the freezer until you need it. Use any brand you like–Pepperidge Farms is vegan and delicious! 
• Cornstarch - Helps to make your cran-apple turnover filling thick and gooey in the best way! 
• Apple jelly - Also helps to thicken the filling, as well as to provide some additional sweetness. If you can’t find apple jelly, apricot jelly works well here too! 
• Ground cinnamon - Because no apple dessert is truly complete without a dash of spicy cinnamon. 
• Diced apples - I like to use Granny Smith apples for these turnovers as they hold their shape nicely during cooking and have a lovely sweet-tangy flavor. You’ll need about 2 cups worth of apples, peeled and diced small. For me this was about 2 whole apples. 
• Dried cranberries - Stick with dried as opposed to fresh cranberries here, as the latter have a higher moisture content which could make for messier turnovers. Use sweetened or unsweetened dried cranberries–whatever you prefer! 
• Vegan butter - A little dab of vegan butter goes into each turnover along with the apple-cranberry filling, making it rich and saucy! Use your favorite brand of vegan butter, and let it soften slightly beforehand. 
• Organic powdered sugar - I like to sift some powdered sugar over the top of my warm apple turnovers just before serving. This is optional, but highly recommended!

How to Make Apple Cranberry Turnovers

1. Preheat and roll. Preheat your oven to 400℉. On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll one thawed puff pastry sheet in the lengthwise direction. You’re looking to turn it into a longer rectangle that measures about 12" x 18". Don’t worry if things are a little rough around the edges! 
2. Cut squares. Use a sharp knife (not serrated) to cut the sheet of puff pastry lengthwise down the center, making two strips that are 6” by 18”. Now cut each strip into 3 equal squares. You should now have 6 total squares that each measure 6" x 6".
3. Make the filling. In a bowl mix cornstarch, melted apple (or apricot) jelly, and ground cinnamon together. Add diced apples and dried cranberries, then stir until evenly mixed. 
4. Portion the filling. Divide the apple mixture evenly between the 6 squares of puff pastry, placing the filling right in the center of each square. Dot bits of vegan butter on top of each pile of filling. 
5. Fold and press. Fold each puff pastry square on the diagonal, so that two of the corners meet, creating a triangle shape. You may need to adjust the filling a bit in order to keep it inside the pastry and towards the center. It may seem like a lot of filling, but it works, trust me! You need this much because the filling will bake down considerably just like in an apple pie. Press all along the edges with your fingertips then use the tines of a fork to crimp around the sides for a tight seal. 
6. Arrange and bake. Place the turnovers on a lightly oiled or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, until lightly golden brown. 

7. Cool and enjoy! Remove your turnovers from the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool. Serve them warm with a shower of organic powdered sugar if you like!

Apple and Cranberry Shopping

I remember when our family used to make the trek to Hadley's in Cabazon, California to get our beautiful plump dried dates and cranberries.

Mother spent a fortune to stock up but it was well worth it. Especially for us kids because we got to enjoy all of the wonderful recipes that she made.

An extra bonus is now we all have this wonderful family memory of outings and fun. Nowadays, when I am driving out of Arizona and back to the beach I will stop at Hadley's and see what there is.

Of course, now there are Factory Outlet Stores and a casino right next to it but the whole conglomeration is still way out there in the desert. The old quaint store is as good as ever and I just love that.

📋 Recipe