Pear and Caramel Turnovers with Rye Puff Pastry

Recipe by Melissa Weller
1 Review 5.0 out of 5 stars

Filled with baked pears and caramel sauce, these turnovers are an indulgent breakfast or a special anytime treat. The addition of rye flour to the pastry adds both warm, nutty flavor and rich color. Our thanks to master baker and James Beard Award nominee Melissa Weller for sharing this recipe with us.

Prep
30 mins
Bake
25 to 30 mins
Total
2 hrs
Yield
6 medium (about 5") turnovers
Pear and Caramel Turnovers with Rye Puff Pastry - select to zoom
Pear and Caramel Turnovers with Rye Puff Pastry - select to zoom
Pear and Caramel Turnovers with Rye Puff Pastry - select to zoom

Instructions

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  1. To make the filling: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) a medium baking pan; an 8” square or 9” round pan work well here.

  2. In a medium bowl, toss the sliced pears with the lemon juice, then sprinkle with the sugar, cinnamon, flour, and salt.

  3. Transfer the filling to the prepared pan, cover with aluminum foil or an oven-safe cover, and bake until the pears are soft, about 15 to 25 minutes depending on the ripeness of the pears.

  4. Remove the filling from the oven, uncover it, and set it aside to cool to room temperature.

  5. To assemble the turnovers: Increase the oven temperature to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.

  6. Remove the pastry from the refrigerator and set it on the counter to soften for 10 minutes.

  7. Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Unwrap the dough and place it on the floured surface.

  8. Dust the top of the dough with additional flour and roll it into a 10” x 15” rectangle. Trim any ragged edges with a bench knife or chef’s knife.

  9. Divide the dough in half lengthwise then divide the two halves into thirds, yielding six 5” squares.

  10. Divide the filling evenly among the six squares, leaving 1/2" of the dough bare all around the edges. Top each with a heaping teaspoon of caramel sauce; a teaspoon cookie scoop works well here.

  11. Fold one corner of the pastry diagonally to the opposite corner to make a triangular turnover. Seal the edges with your fingers or the tines of a fork and place the turnover on the prepared baking sheet.

  12. Repeat folding and sealing the remaining turnovers. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill the pastries for 20 minutes.

  13. Remove the turnovers from the refrigerator and brush the tops with egg wash. Make three or four diagonal slashes in the top crust of each, to vent steam.

  14. To bake the turnovers: Bake the turnovers for 25 to 30 minutes, until they’re golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and place on a rack to cool briefly.

  15. Serve turnovers warm, with additional caramel sauce and/or ice cream if desired. 

  16. Storage information: Store turnovers, lightly wrapped, at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage.

Tips from our Bakers

  • Looking for other pastry options? Choose one based on what you're looking for:

    • Blitz Puff Pastry: This is the traditional "rough puff" dough, where butter is added to the dry ingredients and a series of folds ensure lots of layers in the final product. 
    • Fast and Easy Puff Pastry: Like rough puff, this pastry offers a touch of extra tenderness and tanginess from sour cream.
    • Flaky Pastry: A cross between puff pastry and pie dough, this pastry uses both butter and lard (or shortening) and is especially nice when used as a tart crust.
    • For a more advanced option, try the "inverse" puff pastry used as a base in our Maple Cream Napoleons.

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