Homemade Berry Turnovers Recipe
These homemade berry turnovers feature a flaky, buttery dough wrapped around a sweet and tangy mixed berry filling. Perfectly golden and easy to make, these turnovers are delightful as a breakfast treat or a dessert. The recipe involves creating a classic pastry dough with layers of butter, a luscious berry filling, rolling and folding the dough to develop flakiness, and baking until crisp and golden. Optional vanilla icing and coarse sugar topping add an extra special touch.
- Author: Sana
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus 2+ hours chilling time)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (including chilling and baking)
- Yield: 9 turnovers 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Berry Filling
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon warm water
- 1 cup (about 150g) mixed berries (1/2 cup blueberries, 1/4 cup halved blackberries, 1/4 cup chopped strawberries)
- 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons (18g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Dough
- 1 and 1/3 cups (166g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more for flouring
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
- 6–8 Tablespoons (90-120ml) ice cold water
Egg Wash + Topping
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) milk
- Optional: coarse sugar for topping
- Optional: vanilla icing for drizzling
- Make the Filling: Whisk together cornstarch and warm water until dissolved. Combine berries, sugar, cornstarch mixture, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly, breaking up some berries, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 3 minutes then remove from heat and cool completely; the filling will thicken as it cools. Refrigerate if not using immediately.
- Prepare the Dough: Whisk flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add cold cubed butter and toss lightly with hands, gently rubbing butter into flour without breaking it down. Gradually add ice cold water 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing after each addition until a shaggy dough clump forms, still with visible chunks of butter.
- Shape and Chill Dough (1st Refrigeration): Transfer dough onto a floured surface and pat into a 3/4 –1 inch thick 5×8 inch rectangle. Fold into thirds (like a business letter), smooth cracks, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Roll & Fold Process: Remove dough, let rest 5 minutes if very stiff. Lightly flour surface and hands. Flatten dough gently into small square, then roll into a 6×12 inch rectangle 1/2 inch thick, flipping and flouring as needed to prevent sticking. Fold into thirds, turn, and repeat rolling and folding a total of 6 times to develop layers.
- Chill Dough (2nd Refrigeration): Wrap dough tightly and refrigerate 15 minutes to 24 hours, or freeze if desired.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to catch any butter drips during baking.
- Shape Turnovers: Roll chilled dough into a 12-inch square on a floured surface. Cut into nine 4-inch squares with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Transfer squares to baking sheets. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of cooled berry filling into the center of each square.
- Fold and Seal: Fold one corner over filling to form a triangle. Crimp edges securely with a fork to seal. If dough is sticky and hard to seal, chill shaped turnovers 10 minutes.
- Chill Turnovers: Refrigerate shaped turnovers, covered or uncovered, for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour (or freeze at this stage).
- Preheat Oven & Apply Egg Wash: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Whisk egg and milk together, brush over turnovers. Cut 3 slits in each to vent steam. Optionally sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake: Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown and edges crisp. Butter may leak, which is normal; optionally brush leaked butter back on turnovers halfway through baking.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and cool at least 5 minutes. Drizzle with vanilla icing if desired. Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerated up to 5 days; freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly before serving if desired.
Notes
- Keeping the butter very cold is crucial for flaky layers in the dough.
- If dough feels sticky, the butter may have warmed; the turnovers will still be tasty but less flaky.
- Folding and rolling the dough multiple times creates flaky layers similar to puff pastry.
- Rimmed baking sheets help catch butter drips; if unavailable, place an extra baking sheet beneath.
- Turnovers can be frozen before or after baking; thaw and reheat before serving.
- Vanilla icing adds sweetness and visual appeal but is optional.
- The filling can be made in advance and refrigerated up to 5 days.
Keywords: berry turnovers, homemade turnovers, flaky pastry, mixed berry dessert, breakfast pastry, fruit turnovers, baking recipe