Apple Turnovers for 2

NOTES 

1. This is based on a recipe from Cooks Illustrated (subscription required).
2. We found that the applesauce, listed as optional here, made the turnovers too soft. Maybe eliminate it and add more apple instead. We also found that choppping the apple into "coarse pieces" made the apple chunks too small when put into the food processor.
3. Some people mixed the cinnamon and sugar in with the apples, instead of or in addition to sprinkling it on top before baking.
4. Sheet of puff pastry (9 x 9-1/2) should be thawed overnight in fridge.
5. To make in advance: Fill, fold, and freeze the unbaked turnovers in a zipper freezer bag up to 1 month in advance. Before baking, allow the turnovers to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then proceed with the recipe as directed.


INGREDIENTS
6 Tbl sugar, divided into 2 Tbl and 4 Tbl portions
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1-2 Granny Smith apple
1-1/2 tsp lemon juice
table salt
(optional) 1/4 cup applesauce
1 sheet frozen puff pastry
flour for dusting


PREPARATION

1. Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions.

2. In a small bowl, combine 2 Tbl sugar and the cinnamon. Set aside.

3. Cut between 1 to 1-1/2 apples into very large pieces (quarters?) and place them into food processor.

4. Add the remaining sugar, lemon juice, and salt and pulse until chopped into pieces of about 1/2 inch. Err on the large side. Too small and they will be too mushy when baked.

5. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then drain using a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl, and reserve the juices.

6. Transfer drained apple mixture to a small bowl and stir in applesauce, if using.

7. Sprinkle flour on work surface and unfold thawed puff pastry onto it; then roll out until it is a 10-inch square.

8. Cut into four 5-inch squares and fill each turnover by placing 2 Tbls apple mixture into the center of each square.

9. Before folding, brush edges with reserved apple juice, then fold pastry by bringing one corner over the apple mixture to meet with the opposite corner.

10. Crimp edges about 1/2" in with the tines of a fork. Place turnovers on plate and freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.

11. While turnovers are in freezer, line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and heat oven to 400 F.

12. Remove turnovers and keep them on the plate. Brush tops with reserved apple juice and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

13. Place turnovers on prepared baking sheet; bake until well browned, 20 to 26 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through baking time. Transfer turnovers to wire rack and let cool slightly.