Strawberry Turnovers

Looking for a quick and easy recipe that works just as well at breakfast as it does at dessert? These strawberry turnovers are crispy, buttery, and packed with sweet jammy berries. Easy to make and absolutely delicious with coffee, tea, or on their own!

Plus, they come together in just 35 minutes and taste like they came from a bakery!

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This simple strawberry turnover recipe works because it combines simplicity, versatility, and customizability. The recipe is quick and easy to make, using store-bought puff pastry to save time while still delivering tender and flakey results. Additionally, the filling requires just a handful of ingredients—strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and zest—making it approachable for even novice bakers. Assembly is also incredibly straightforward, giving you warm, freshly baked turnovers in under an hour.

The recipe is also easily customizable to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Swap the filling with other fruits like blueberries or apples. Add cream cheese for a creamy twist. The glaze can be flavored with almond extract or lemon zest for a personal touch.

Furthermore, these easy strawberry turnovers are versatile enough for almost any occasion. Serve them as a sweet breakfast treat alongside coffee or tea, or pair them with ice cream for a decadent dessert. This combination of ease, customizability, and adaptability makes these fresh strawberry turnovers a must-try recipe!

Ingredients

Strawberries:

Choose the freshest strawberries you can find for the freshest, most flavorful filling. Alternatively, you can use frozen strawberries. Ensure they are thawed out and drained of excess liquid before cooking. Frozen strawberries will release more moisture than fresh ones, so you may need to use a bit of cornstarch to thicken up your sauce.

You can also try experimenting with different fruits like apple, blueberry, cherry, or raspberry in your turnovers. Try placing a 1-ounce piece of chocolate or caramel in your turnovers for an even sweeter variation.

Sugar:

Sugar draws out the juices and enhances the natural flavor of the strawberries while also creating a syrupy consistency when combined with the lemon. You can use regular granulated sugar like this strawberry turnover recipe or swap it with brown sugar, maple syrup, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or honey.

Lemon:

One lemon is all you should need for this simple strawberry turnover recipe. Begin by washing your lemon, then rolling it on your cutting board to release the juices. Next, zest the entire lemon, giving you about 1 tablespoon of zest for your strawberry turnover filling. One-half of your lemon should be enough to give you the 4 tablespoons of lemon juice to make these homemade strawberry turnovers.

Puff Pastry:

When making strawberry puff pastry turnovers, keep your pastry cold in the fridge until you are ready to use it. If the dough gets too soft as you are working with it, pop it back into the fridge for 20 minutes or so to get cold again. If you can't find puff pastry, there are several alternatives you can use to make these easy strawberry turnovers. Pie crust, phyllo dough, and crescent roll dough all work well, or you can make your dough from scratch.

Start by whisking together 2 ½ cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and ½ a teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Next, cut 1 cup of diced, cold, unsalted butter into the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter to break the butter down into pea-sized pieces.  Gradually drizzle in ½ a cup of ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently with a fork until the dough comes together.

Stop when it forms a shaggy but cohesive dough. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling out on a lightly floured surface.

Eggwash:

The eggwash is an adhesive that binds the dough along the edges of your strawberry turnovers. Additionally, by brushing the tops of your turnovers with the eggwash, you will get a crispier and shinier crust. Create a simple eggwash by whisking an egg with a bit of water or milk.

Glaze:

Finish off your strawberry turnovers with glaze made from icing sugar and milk or water. Additionally, you can add in your favorite flavoring. While this strawberry turnover recipe uses vanilla extract, you can use almond extract, lemon zest, or a splash of brandy.

How to Make Strawberry Turnovers

Step One: 

Heat the quartered strawberries in a pot over medium heat, stirring continuously.

Step Two:

Once the strawberries have started to soften and release their juices, stir in the sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

Step Three: 

Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Remember, the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Step Four:

In the meantime, roll out your puff pastry on a lightly floured surface to the desired thickness and cut each sheet into 4 equal rectangles.

Step Five: 

Whisk an egg into a small bowl to create an eggwash, adding a bit of water if needed to thin it out.

Step Six: 

Place one of your dough rectangles in front of you and imagine it divided into 4 equal quadrants. Add a tablespoon of the strawberry mixture to the bottom left quadrant.

Step Seven: 

Lightly brush the edges of the dough with eggwash. Fold the top right corner to meet the bottom left corner, creating a triangle. Use a fork to seal the edges together.

Step Eight: 

Place the turnovers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with more eggwash and bake for 20 minutes at 400F.

Step Nine: 

Whisk together icing sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl to create a glaze.

Step Ten: 

Drizzle the glaze over cooled strawberry turnovers, serve with some fresh strawberries, and enjoy!

Tips

• For a twist, mix cream cheese into the filling or spread a thin layer on the pastry before adding the strawberries.
• If you find your strawberry filling to be too runny, you can add a bit of cornstarch to thicken it up.
• To prevent the filling from spilling out, avoid overfilling the turnovers. A small amount of filling goes a long way.

What to Serve With Strawberry Turnovers

Strawberry turnovers are delightful on their own, but pairing them with complementary treats can elevate your dessert experience. Serve them warm with a scoop of ice cream for a creamy contrast to their flaky texture. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of fresh berry sauce adds a touch of elegance. Pair strawberry turnovers with fresh fruit salad or yogurt for a balanced, refreshing brunch spread option.

FAQs

Can I use other fruits to make filling?

Yes, you can use blueberries, raspberries, or diced apples for variety. Additionally, add them to the strawberries for a fun combination.

What's the best way to store leftover strawberry turnovers?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or place them on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer to freeze your turnovers individually. Once frozen, remove them from the baking sheet and store them in an air-tight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

How do I reheat leftover strawberry turnovers?

You can reheat your leftover strawberry turnovers in the oven for 5-7 minutes at 350F.

More Strawberry Recipes

Strawberries are a tasty and versatile fruit that you can use to create a variety of delightful dishes and desserts like the ones we have curated for you to try next time you want a fruity fix for your sweet tooth cravings.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Air Fryer Strawberries

Instant Pot Strawberry Jam

Strawberry Soup