Just Baking

I like to keep a package or two of frozen puff pastry in my freezer.  The possibilities are endless for making quick appetizers such as Brie and Apricot Mini Tarts, entrees like Salmon Wellington, and one of my favorite desserts Apple Turnovers with Spiced Cream Cheese.  A quick-to-make treat for the kids after school or an elegant dessert for a dinner party, these turnovers will make you a star. 

Apple Turnovers with Spiced Cream Cheese

makes 8 turnovers - 4 for yourself and 4 to share

4 apples, peeled and sliced thin
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
Dash of cinnamon
4 oz cream cheese, room temp.
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
2 sheets of puff pastry - I like the Pepperidge Farm brand
Sugar for sprinkling - best if you have the raw sugar that has big crystals

1 egg mixed with 1 teaspoon water for the egg wash

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a medium-sized pan, cook the apples in the butter with the 3 tablespoons of brown sugar and dash of cinnamon. The apples should just begin to get tender. Let cool.

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, egg yolk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and dash of nutmeg. Set aside.  Roll out one sheet of the pastry to about a 12 inch x 12 inch square. Cut into 4 smaller squares. Place a dollop of the cream cheese mixture in the center of each square of the pastry and top with about 1/8 of the apples. Brush the edges of the square with the egg wash and fold the 2 opposite corners to the center to overlap. Brush the outside of the pastry with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining pastry to make a total of 8 turnovers. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown.