These sweet and flaky Cherry Turnovers are made from puff pastry, cherry pie filling, and topped with a sweet glaze. A quick and easy dessert!

Irresistibly Flaky Cherry Turnovers: Your Go-To Easy Dessert

Imagine a warm, golden-brown pastry, its delicate layers flaking with every bite, revealing a burst of sweet, tangy cherry filling, all crowned with a glistening vanilla glaze. That’s the magic of these homemade Cherry Turnovers! This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a delightful experience that comes together with surprising ease, making it a perfect choice for any occasion – from a casual family brunch to an elegant potluck. In just about 40 minutes, you can transform simple ingredients into a bakery-quality treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Our simple, fool-proof method utilizes convenient premade puff pastry, saving you precious time without compromising on that signature flaky texture. Get ready to impress with minimal effort and enjoy the satisfying process of creating these beloved sweet pastries!

Frequently Asked Questions About Perfect Cherry Turnovers

Essential Ingredients for Flaky Cherry Turnovers

Crafting these delightful cherry turnovers requires a handful of accessible ingredients, most of which you might already have in your pantry. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of sweetness, flakiness, and rich cherry flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for each ingredient:

• Puff Pastry Dough: This is undoubtedly the star of our turnovers! You’ll find it in the freezer section of your grocery store, typically located near other pie crusts or frozen desserts. Puff pastry is a marvel of French baking, a laminated dough consisting of many ultra-thin layers of butter and dough, which expand dramatically and create its signature airy, incredibly flaky texture when baked. For the best results, it absolutely needs to be properly thawed before use, ensuring it’s pliable enough to work with without tearing but still cold enough to maintain its structural integrity. Always follow the package directions for optimal thawing, usually overnight in the refrigerator or a few hours at cool room temperature.
• Cherry Pie Filling: The heart of your turnover, providing that burst of sweet-tart fruit flavor. While canned cherry pie filling offers incredible convenience and consistent results, you can certainly opt for a homemade version if you prefer. If making your own, ensure it’s thickened to a similar consistency as canned filling to prevent it from becoming too runny and making the pastry soggy. A little cornstarch mixed in can work wonders here to achieve that perfect, spoonable texture. This recipe generally uses one cup of filling per roll of puff pastry, but if you’re doubling the recipe (which is highly recommended for gatherings!), you can easily utilize an entire standard 21-ounce can.
• Brown Sugar (Optional but Recommended): A touch of brown sugar stirred into the cherry pie filling adds a wonderful depth of flavor and a slight molasses note that elevates the taste beyond a standard store-bought filling. It complements the natural tartness of the cherries beautifully, giving the filling a more “homemade” and gourmet feel. You can adjust the quantity based on your desired sweetness level.
• Cornstarch: This acts as a crucial thickening agent for the fruit filling. Even with pre-thickened canned pie filling, a small additional amount of cornstarch helps ensure the filling remains delightfully jammy and doesn’t become overly runny during baking. This prevents soggy pastry bottoms and helps contain the filling, creating a more stable and delicious turnover interior.
• Almond Extract (Optional but Highly Recommended): This is truly a secret weapon for intensifying cherry flavor! A small dash of almond extract works synergistically with cherries, amplifying their natural taste and adding a sophisticated, slightly nutty aroma that many find irresistible. Like the brown sugar, it transforms a basic canned filling into something truly special and reminiscent of a freshly baked, artisanal pie. Don’t skip it if you want to unlock an extra layer of deliciousness and impress your taste buds!
• Large Egg (for Egg Wash): An essential component for that perfect golden finish. An egg wash, made simply by beating one large egg, is brushed over the turnovers before baking. This serves two key purposes: it helps create that gorgeous, shiny, golden-brown crust, giving your turnovers a professional, appealing look, and it aids in the flaking process by providing moisture and helping the delicate pastry layers separate beautifully. For easier whisking and smoother spreading, allow the egg to come to room temperature before preparing the wash.
• Powdered Sugar: The foundation of our sweet vanilla glaze. Powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar) is finely milled, allowing it to dissolve easily and quickly to create a smooth, lump-free glaze. You’ll use this to adjust the glaze’s thickness – more powdered sugar for a thicker, more opaque glaze, or less for a thinner, more translucent drizzle. Always whisk thoroughly to ensure no powdery lumps remain, resulting in a silky-smooth consistency.
• Milk: Used to thin the powdered sugar into a pourable glaze. Any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy, such as almond milk or soy milk) will work perfectly, so use what you have on hand. Start with a small amount and add more gradually, a teaspoon at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency for drizzling.
• Clear Vanilla Extract (or Regular Vanilla Extract): Clear vanilla extract is preferred if you desire a stark white glaze, as regular vanilla extract has a brownish tint that can slightly alter the color. However, if clear vanilla isn’t available, regular vanilla extract works perfectly fine for flavor. It adds that classic sweet, aromatic vanilla note that beautifully complements the cherry and pastry, creating a balanced and irresistible overall taste.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Irresistible Cherry Turnovers

Making these flaky cherry turnovers is a straightforward and immensely rewarding process. Follow these simple, detailed steps to create a dessert that not only looks like it came from a professional bakery but tastes even better!

Step 1: Prepare Your Workstation and Filling
Begin by preheating your oven to a steady 375°F (190°C). As your oven warms, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple yet crucial step is a game-changer, preventing any sticking and making cleanup an absolute breeze. In a medium mixing bowl, combine your cherry pie filling. If you’re opting for the enhanced flavor (which we highly recommend!), add the brown sugar, cornstarch, and a hint of fragrant almond extract. Stir everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the cornstarch has completely dissolved into the filling. This ensures your cherry mixture will be perfectly thickened and bursting with flavor. Set this delicious mixture aside while you prepare the pastry.

Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry
Gently unroll your thawed puff pastry dough onto a lightly floured surface. Many brands of puff pastry come conveniently pre-rolled on a sheet of parchment paper; if yours does, you can simply unroll it and work directly on that parchment. This minimizes mess and makes transferring the prepared pastries easier later on. Using a sharp knife or a pastry wheel, carefully cut the dough into approximately 4×4-inch squares. Precision isn’t strictly necessary, but aiming for relatively even sizes will help ensure uniform baking and a consistent presentation for all your turnovers.

Step 3: Fill and Fold Your Turnovers
Carefully transfer your freshly cut pastry squares onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring you leave sufficient space (at least 2 inches) between each one to allow for proper expansion during baking. Now, place approximately one level tablespoon of your prepared cherry filling directly into the center of each pastry square. Remember, the golden rule here is: don’t overfill! To form the classic turnover shape, fold one corner of the pastry diagonally over the filling to meet the opposite corner, creating a perfect triangle. Lightly press down around the edges with your fingers to begin sealing. For a truly secure closure that prevents any delicious filling from escaping, use the tines of a fork to firmly crimp along all three open edges. A good, tight seal is absolutely key to preventing leaks and ensuring your turnovers maintain their beautiful shape and flaky layers.

Step 4: The Golden Finish: Egg Wash Application
In a small separate bowl, whisk one large egg until it’s thoroughly beaten and uniform in consistency. This creates our magical egg wash. Using a pastry brush, gently apply a thin, even layer of this beaten egg over the entire top surface of each turnover. This simple step is vital for achieving that stunning golden-brown color and slightly crisp, shiny finish that makes baked goods so incredibly appealing. Beyond aesthetics, it also contributes to the flaky texture of the puff pastry by adding a little moisture and encouraging the layers to separate beautifully during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Carefully transfer the baking sheet with your prepared turnovers to your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the turnovers have beautifully puffed up, turned a rich, appealing golden brown, and appear wonderfully crisp. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes, as oven temperatures can vary. Once baked to perfection, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the turnovers to cool on the sheet for a few minutes. This initial cooling helps them firm up slightly before you move them. Then, gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This crucial step prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy due to trapped steam and allows air to circulate, maintaining their desired crispiness.

Step 6: Prepare and Apply the Vanilla Glaze
While your turnovers are cooling completely, it’s the perfect time to whip up the sweet vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and clear vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and free of any lumps. You can easily adjust the consistency of the glaze to your liking: add a bit more milk or vanilla extract if you prefer a thinner, more translucent glaze, or incorporate more powdered sugar for a thicker, more opaque and dominant coating. Once the turnovers are entirely cool – this is absolutely essential to prevent the glaze from melting – use a spoon to artfully drizzle the vanilla glaze over the tops of each one. For a professional touch, you can even use a small offset spatula to spread it evenly.

Step 7: Set and Serve Your Masterpiece
Allow the glaze a few minutes to set and harden slightly before serving. This will prevent any mess and ensure the beautiful presentation holds up. Once set, your homemade cherry turnovers are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them as a delightful breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, a stunning dessert after dinner, or alongside a warm cup of coffee or tea. They are truly irresistible, offering a perfect blend of crisp, buttery pastry and sweet-tart cherry goodness that will become an instant favorite.

Craving More Delicious Recipes?

If you’ve fallen in love with these cherry turnovers, you’re in for a treat! The world of easy, fruit-filled pastries and desserts is vast and delightful. Explore some of our other cherished recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet cravings and expand your baking repertoire. From different fruit fillings to other creative ways to use pie filling, there’s something here for every dessert enthusiast and occasion:

• Apple Turnovers: A classic comfort dessert with a sweet and spiced apple filling, perfect for autumn.
• Cherry Pie Bites: Smaller, adorable bite-sized versions that are perfect for snacking or entertaining.
• No-Bake Cherry Yum Yum: A cool, creamy, and incredibly easy cherry dessert, ideal for warmer weather.
• Crescent Cherry Cheesecake Cobbler: A decadent dessert combining the best of cheesecake and cherry cobbler.
• Cherry Pie Bars: All the delightful flavor of cherry pie presented in a convenient, easy-to-serve bar form.
• Cherry Crumble Danishes: A delightful morning pastry featuring a sweet cherry filling and a buttery crumble topping.
• Cherry Pie Bubble Up: An unexpected and fun twist on cherry pie, great for family desserts.
• Cherry Dump Cake: The ultimate easy dessert requiring minimal effort – just dump and bake!
• Cherry Crumble Bars: A rustic and comforting dessert with a buttery, streusel-like crumble topping.
• Cherry Cobbler: A classic, warm, and inviting fruit dessert, especially perfect when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Cherry Cheesecake Dip: A sweet and creamy dip, excellent for parties and sharing with fruit or cookies.
• Cherry Dessert Pizza: A fun and customizable dessert with a sweet cookie-like crust and fruit topping.
• Apple Hand Pies: Similar to turnovers, but made quickly in an air fryer for a wonderfully crisp result.
• Blueberry Hand Pies: Another delicious hand pie variation, perfect for blueberry lovers and air fryer enthusiasts.
• Brown Sugar Pop Tarts: A nostalgic breakfast or snack treat, elevated to homemade perfection with real ingredients.