These Cream Cheese and Apple Turnovers are a flaky, golden pastry treat filled with tender cinnamon-spiced apples and tangy cream cheese. Made easy with store-bought puff pastry, they’re perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an indulgent snack. The combination of creamy filling and sweet apple, topped with a light frosting, will have everyone asking for seconds (and the recipe).

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 3 cups peeled, cored, and chopped apples (about 3 Granny Smith apples)

• 1/4 cup water

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 egg yolk

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 1 tablespoon water

• 1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• Milk (as needed for frosting consistency)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large skillet, melt butter with brown sugar and salt over medium heat. Add apples and water, stir, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Uncover and cook another 8 minutes until apples are tender. Stir as needed.

3. Remove from heat, then stir in cinnamon and vanilla. Let cool slightly.

4. Fold in 5 oz (2/3) of the cream cheese, flour, and egg yolk into the cooled apple mixture. Stir until combined (small lumps of cream cheese are fine).

5. On a floured surface, roll one puff pastry sheet into a 12-inch square. Cut into four 6-inch squares.

6. Spoon 1/4 cup of the apple-cream cheese mixture into the center of each square. Moisten edges with water, fold into triangles, and seal with your fingers or a fork.

7. Repeat with second pastry sheet. Place turnovers on baking sheets (4 per sheet).

8. Whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water, then brush over each turnover.

9. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden and puffed.

10. Meanwhile, make frosting by beating the remaining cream cheese until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar and milk (1 tablespoon at a time) to desired consistency.

11. Spread frosting over cooled turnovers and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container for a couple of days.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 309 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 41g

• Protein: 4g

• Fat: 15g

• Saturated Fat: 9g

• Cholesterol: 88mg

• Sodium: 306mg

• Potassium: 236mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 34g

• Vitamin A: 679 IU

• Vitamin C: 8mg

• Calcium: 73mg

• Iron: 1mg

The Perfect Marriage of Flavors

At the heart of these turnovers is the balance between tangy cream cheese and sweet, spiced apples. Granny Smith apples are the perfect choice because their tartness holds up beautifully against the rich, sugary elements in the filling. Brown sugar lends a deep, caramel-like flavor, while cinnamon and vanilla round out the taste with warm, aromatic tones. The addition of cream cheese not only adds creaminess but also a subtle tang that keeps the sweetness in check, creating a dynamic flavor profile that’s anything but boring.

The final touch—a drizzle of cream cheese frosting—ties everything together. This light glaze melts slightly over the warm turnovers, enhancing the flavor and presentation with minimal effort. The contrast between the cool, creamy icing and the warm, flaky pastry is what elevates these turnovers into a bakery-worthy delight.

Why Puff Pastry Makes This Easy

One of the most beautiful things about this recipe is that it uses store-bought puff pastry. Puff pastry is notoriously time-consuming to make from scratch, requiring multiple layers of rolling and folding to achieve that signature flakiness. By using frozen puff pastry sheets, you get all the buttery, crispy benefits of traditional puff pastry without the labor. Simply thaw, roll, cut, and fill—and your kitchen smells like a French bakery in no time.

This shortcut doesn’t compromise the result. In fact, it allows you to focus on the filling and the finishing touches, making the whole experience more approachable for beginner bakers or anyone short on time.

Versatility in Serving

These turnovers are incredibly versatile. Serve them warm for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea, and they feel like a luxurious morning treat. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, and they become a show-stopping dessert. They’re also a lovely addition to brunch spreads, potlucks, and holiday gatherings. The presentation is beautiful with golden, flaky crusts and that creamy icing, so they’re sure to draw compliments no matter when or where you serve them.

They also make a great after-school snack for kids or a pick-me-up during a mid-day slump. The combination of fruit, pastry, and a little bit of sweetness hits the spot every time. Leftovers (if there are any) store well in an airtight container, and you can reheat them slightly to bring back that just-baked magic.

Cream Cheese: The Star Ingredient

Cream cheese might seem like a supporting player in the world of pastries, but in this recipe, it really shines. It not only blends seamlessly with the apple filling, adding richness and body, but it also stars in the frosting. Unlike traditional glazes that are just sugar and milk, this one has depth and texture thanks to the added cream cheese. It spreads beautifully over the turnovers and adds an extra layer of indulgence that balances perfectly with the tart apples.

You’ll use most of the cream cheese in the filling, folding it in while the apple mixture is still slightly warm. This helps it melt just enough to become velvety but still leaves behind some delightful little pockets of creaminess. The remaining portion is used in the frosting, which you can adjust to your liking by adding more or less milk for consistency.

The Aroma of Home Baking

There’s something incredibly nostalgic and comforting about the scent of apples, cinnamon, and butter wafting through your kitchen. These turnovers deliver that experience in full. As they bake, your home fills with the scent of spiced apples and toasty pastry—a surefire way to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. If you’re hosting guests, baking these is a great way to make your home feel warm and welcoming.

The aroma alone can make people curious and hungry. It’s one of those rare recipes that delights every sense—sight, smell, taste, and even sound, when you bite into that perfectly crisp pastry.

Tips for Perfect Turnovers

To ensure success, start with cold puff pastry. If it gets too warm while you’re working, the butter in the dough can begin to melt, which will affect how the pastry puffs in the oven. If you notice it becoming too soft, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes before continuing.

When sealing the turnovers, make sure to moisten the edges well with water and press firmly with a fork. This helps keep the filling inside and avoids leakage during baking. Also, don’t overfill them—while it’s tempting to add a little extra of that delicious apple-cream cheese mixture, doing so can cause the turnovers to burst open.

Another tip is to cool the filling before using it. If the apple mixture is too hot, it can melt the butter in the puff pastry prematurely, making the dough soggy and affecting the rise. Letting it come to room temperature before assembling ensures a crisp, golden bake.

Make It Your Own

While this recipe is delightful as written, it’s also a great base for customization. Swap out the apples for pears or peaches in the summer. Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch. You could even throw in a handful of raisins or dried cranberries to the filling for extra texture and a pop of sweetness.

For a more savory take, reduce the sugar and cinnamon, and incorporate herbs like thyme or rosemary into the cream cheese mixture. These adjustments make the turnovers suitable for brunch or even a light lunch alongside a fresh green salad.

Gluten-free puff pastry is also widely available now, so this recipe can be adapted for gluten-sensitive eaters. Just be sure to check the package instructions, as baking times and textures may vary slightly.

Conclusion

Cream Cheese and Apple Turnovers are the kind of recipe that reminds us why baking is such a joy. They’re simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor in every flaky bite. From the golden, crispy crust to the sweet and tangy filling and the creamy drizzle on top, every component plays its part in creating a standout treat that’s both cozy and impressive.

Whether you serve them for breakfast, dessert, or a mid-day snack, these turnovers never fail to delight. They’re easy enough for weekday baking yet special enough for celebrations. And the best part? They taste just as good the next day—if you’re lucky enough to have any left. Try them once, and they’re sure to become a staple in your baking rotation.