When fall comes around, I tend to see a lot of pumpkin cakes, muffins and pies, but while I love pumpkin treats just as much as the next person, my cold-weather baking is inspired by something entirely different. Apples. I cannot stop eating, slicing, cooking and baking with apples. There’s just something about the scent of the sweet, juicy fruit sizzling in a pan with butter and brown sugar that, to me, is quintessentially “fall”.
In this easy take on apple turnovers, all you need are two apples, butter, sugar, and a curiosity for making your own caramel. Not to mention everyone’s fall favorites, cinnamon and nutmeg, and my new favorite discovery, Pillsbury seamless dough sheets – so simple to work with!
To give you a bit of creative freedom, I separated this recipe into three parts: Caramelizing the apples, assembling the turnovers and making caramel. If you’d like to use pears instead, go ahead. If you prefer a savory filling, show me what you’ve got. If you like chocolate, go hog wild. Get creative with your fillings – there’s no limit to the options!
Here, sliced apples are caramelized with butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar, plopped onto eight dough squares, folded over, brushed with egg and baked. Top those turnovers with a splash of homemade caramel, and done. You’ve got a warm, doughy and delicious fall treat.Just don’t ask me how many I had for breakfast this morning. But, do enjoy them for yourself!
Also, head on over to Taste and Tell to check out my interview with Deborah for her new Blogger Spotlight feature! The interview includes a photo of my kitchen, personal stories, and my top tips for fellow food bloggers.
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Caramel Apple Turnovers
Yield: Makes 8 turnovers
Ingredients:
For caramelized apples:
2 apples (any kind)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
2 tablespoons brown sugar
For turnovers:
1 can (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent roll dough or seamless dough sheet
1 large egg
2 tablespoons water
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For caramel:
8 tablespoons white sugar
4 tablespoons water
Directions:
To caramelize apples:
Core and slice the apples into ¼-inch thick slices. In a large skillet, heat butter until it is bubbling. Add the apple slices to the skillet and continue to cook over medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes, or until apples soften and begin to brown. Turn several times to brown evenly. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar, and continue to cook until sugar has melted and started to caramelize. Apple slices should be tender. Set pan aside.
To assemble turnovers: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Separate the crescent roll dough into 4 rectangles, then press the perforations together to seal. Cut each rectangle in half to make squares (8 squares in total). If the pieces are not quite square, gently stretch them into shape. If using a seamless dough sheet, cut into 8 squares.
Beat together the egg and water, and brush each square with the mixture.
If using, place 3-4 caramelized apples on one corner-half of each square. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to form a triangle. Use your fingers or a fork to seal the edges together. Brush the tops with the egg mixture and sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg over each turnover.
Place on an ungreased baking sheet, or a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat, and bake for 16 to 19 minutes until golden brown.
To make caramel: Warm a large saucepan over medium heat. Pour sugar into the saucepan. Wait for it to melt (This will take about 5 minutes).
Stir the melting sugar with a wooden spoon until it is completely melted. Stir again for 5 minutes until the melted sugar has turned brown. It should look somewhat like honey. Do not burn it.
Remove the pan from the heat and VERY slowly pour in the water while stirring.
Let the caramel cool down a little. Drizzle over the baked turnovers and serve.
Enjoy!
Adapted turnover base from La Fuji Mama
these turnovers look so adorable, I love apple treats but adding caramel to them makes me hide and eat them all
i have those crescent rolls in my fridge right now… i was going to use them on mini hot dogs but i must say these look delicious!!!
Um…YUM. We love pumpkin, but we LOVE apples! And caramel sauce?! And pastry!? Yes yes yes please!
The photo on the right made me drool!
They look amazing! I love that first photo.
Ohhhh, mama. These look wonderful!
absolutely lovely!! and the photo with the sauce drizzling……..amazing!
These look sinful. :)
These are so drool worthy. OMG.
Georgia – I’ve never seen these seamless dough sheets! What a great idea to keep on hand and so versatile. I would be enjoying these turnovers all too often.
Great spotlight feature over at Taste and Tell. Enjoyed reading more about you and your inspirations. :)
This looks lovely !
This is the perfect time for apple recipes. Thanks so much. My son in college is just learning to cook and he loves apple desserts. I’ll forward this to him to try.
Plan B
I had to go back and look for this post. I read this a few days ago and tried it this weekend. I am not really into baking or cooking at all. Good thing my first kitchen attempt went very good.
I’m so glad these went well for you. Thank you for stopping by and letting me know how they turned out!
These sound decadent and fabulous! Each element on it’s own sounds sinful – but combined these turnovers are true comfort food. xo
Congrats on the blogger spotlight :) Loved reading up on you! And I’m loving these turnovers.. I love pumpkin but I’m a huge apple fan also.. kudos for making your own caramel!
I have never caramelized apples before, never actually thought about it, but these look delicious! Also haven’t used the seamless pastry sheets before either, can’t wait to try these, thanks!
You were so right… I love this recipe! Very simple… and of course.. OMG yummy!! Apple desserts in the fall are my favorite too… pumpkin is ok, but it’s got nothin’ on the apples!!
These look like they could easily become my favorite dessert. Any type of pastry dough and apple concoction makes me grin from ear to ear. And then of course, you make it even better with caramel sauce. Thank you for your warm words today on my blog. They mean a lot to me (and to my family)
Oh these look soooo scrumptious!! Such a perfect treat for fall! I will definitely be making these! :)
These little treats would be welcome at any time of day! Apples are definitely my favorite fall fruit. :) I love your “caramel pour” photo!
I can’t help to swallow my saliva when I see the flowing caramel. Pass me the turnover, please !
What a great apple treat. I have so many apples from my trees this year and I’m having trouble figuring out how to use as many of them as I can. THis looks like a great recipe.
*kisses* HH
Absolutely such a lovely scrumptious recipe have here! A perr-fect Apple Fall recipe! Thanks for sharing. :-)
Excuse me while I drool over that first shot!
Be still my heart!! I have started the apple baking (although I haven’t posted any recipes yet…) but these are definitely going on my list!!
I have some crescent roll dough sitting in the fridge that needs to be used asap. What a perfect solution, considering I also cannot get enough of apples right now!
I love these apple turnovers! And it’s even better with caramel!! You are a killer baker!
I’m with you, people have gotten a little out of control with the pumpkin. My next recipe to post is actually an apple recipe too, they’re so perfect for fall!
Looks wonderful. Apple baked goods are good in every season. ;)
Delicious looking turnovers, love the use of the caramel in this recipe!
Wheee…these I could make. Since I don’t consider myself a master-baker (ha!), I’m horribly intimidated by making pie crust! Tragic, since it’s husband’s favorite. I could make these, though! Saving…love them!!