Kitchen Exploits | Family Favourites #8: Apple Turnovers

Family Favourites featured two consecutive savoury recipes in #6 and #7, and so I thought it would be nice to share a sweet treat this week! I have been told that even after eating a full meal, there's always another stomach for desserts ;)

Let us welcome our guest this week - Mrs Ergul. She runs a delectable bake shop of her namesake, selling gorgeous sweet treats. I first noticed her food photography on Instagram, and was blown away by the way she presents her food - even for everyday meals at home for herself and her husband.

Enjoy this sweet treat!

:: There are nights when I want to end dinner with something sweet. All the better when said dessert doesn’t take half a day to make. And when all the stars align, I will have all the necessary ingredients sitting in the fridge, waiting to be put together and made into something comforting.

I have a few sheets of filo leftover from making a couple of batches of Turkish potato cigarette börek and some surprisingly sweet granny smiths. Then apple turnover comes to mind.

When the warm aroma of cinnamon wafted out of the oven, I knew we were in for a treat! The leftovers also crisped up pretty nicely when reheated in the oven for a few minutes in a moderate oven.

Apple Turnovers

2 granny smith apples 

1 teaspoon lemon zest 

1 tablespoon caster sugar (adjust accordingly if your apples are more tart) 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1/2 tablespoon cornstarch 

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 filo sheets 2

5 grams butter, melted 

powdered sugar; for dusting 

1. Peel and dice apples. 
2. In a medium saucepan, add apples sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, cinnamon and cornstarch. Put on medium-low stirring every so often. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the apple softens and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat. 
3. Remove filo dough from package and have a damp towel ready so you can keep the filo sheets covered as you work. They tend to dry out very quickly. 
4. Working with one sheet at a time, use a pastry brush to brush filo sheets with butter. 
5. With the longer side facing you, fold in half (vertically) and brush filo surface with butter again. 
6. Place ¼ of apple mixture in the middle of filo sheet and fold excess over apple mixture, turning it into a parcel. 
7. Brush the outside of the filo with butter. Place on a lined cookie sheet. 
8. Repeat with remaining filo sheets and apple mixture. 
9. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until nicely golden brown. Check after about 10 minutes in case your oven runs hot. Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar. ::