French Apple Turnovers

Filling
6 cups (650-700 g) Honey Crisp apples
1/4 cup water
3 T sugar
3/4 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup applesauce,* optional

*I like to take some of the applesauce I make in the fall and add it for texture.

Peel, core, and cut apples into 1-inch pieces (about 4 cups). Place apples in medium saucepan with water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves. Cover; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until apples are very tender, stirring frequently, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat.

Gently mash apples with fork or potato masher until mixture is very soft but still chunky. Cool completely. Add cinnamon and additional applesauce. This can be made two days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

Position one rack in top third and one rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Pastry
14 to 16 oz. package all-butter frozen puff pastry (one or two sheets, depending on brand), thawed (my FAVORITE by far is Dufour Pastry Kitchens ‘Classic Puff Pastry’, YUM)
1 egg, beaten to blend (for glaze)
Superfine sugar (optional)

If using 14-ounce package (1 sheet), roll out pastry on lightly floured surface to 15-inch square. If using 16-ounce package (2 sheets), stack sheets together and roll out on lightly floured surface to 15-inch square. Cut pastry into nine 5-inch squares.

Place one generous tablespoon filling in center of each of 8 squares (reserve remaining square for another use). Lightly brush edges of 1 pastry with beaten egg. Fold half of pastry square over filling, forming triangle. Press and pinch pastry edges with fingertips to seal tightly. Lightly brush pastry with beaten egg. Sprinkle lightly with superfine sugar, if desired. Repeat with remaining squares. Using thin, sharp knife, make 3 small slits on top of each triangle to allow steam to escape. Place triangles on prepared baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.

Bake turnovers until beginning to color, about 15 minutes. Reverse baking sheets from top to bottom. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; continue baking until turnovers are firm and golden, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Adapted from Bon Appetit