Description
These homemade cherry puff turnovers are a delightful pastry treat perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack. Made with flaky puff pastry and a luscious cherry pie filling, these turnovers are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection. The optional almond extract adds a subtle nutty aroma enhancing the cherry filling. Finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar, they are sure to impress at any table.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry and Filling
- 1 package puff pastry sheets (2 sheets, thawed but cold)
- 1 ½ cups cherry pie filling
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Egg Wash and Topping
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Surface: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Lightly flour your work surface to ensure the puff pastry doesn’t stick when rolling out.
- Roll and Cut Puff Pastry: Unfold the puff pastry sheets carefully and roll them slightly to smooth out the creases. Cut each sheet into 4 to 6 even squares, depending on your preferred size for turnovers.
- Add Filling: Spoon 1 to 1½ tablespoons of cherry pie filling onto the center of each puff pastry square. If using, mix almond extract into the filling before spooning it onto the pastry for extra flavor.
- Fold and Seal: Fold each square diagonally to form a triangle. Seal the edges by pressing down firmly with a fork to prevent filling from leaking during baking. If the pastry becomes too soft, chill it in the refrigerator briefly to firm up.
- Apply Egg Wash: Place the turnovers on the prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make the egg wash. Brush this mixture evenly over each turnover to give them a glossy, golden finish once baked.
- Bake: Bake the turnovers in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until they are puffed up and beautifully golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Let the turnovers cool slightly on a wire rack. Once warm or at room temperature, dust them lightly with powdered sugar before serving for a touch of sweetness and elegance.
Notes
- Make sure puff pastry remains cold before baking to achieve maximum flakiness.
- Almond extract is optional but enhances the cherry flavor beautifully.
- Powdered sugar can be substituted with a light glaze or left off entirely based on preference.
- Turnovers are best served warm but can be stored in an airtight container and reheated gently.
- For a different twist, try substituting cherry filling with apple, blueberry, or peach pie filling.
