This week's recipe, chosen by Tracey of Tracey's Culinary Adventures, was for Caramel Apple Turnovers with Sweet Ricotta Filling (p. 25 of the Sweet Melissa Baking Book). Since Daniel doesn't like his apples warm or cooked (he only likes 'em cold and crispy - fresh and straight from the fridge), I decided to adapt the recipe in honor of his birthday. Yesterday was his actual birthday, but as he spent the past two days sick, I decided to make these the way he would like for the first day he could eat normally again.
Instead of Caramel Apple filling, I decided to substitute strawberries in for the apples.
by the way, if you ever need to make perfectly sized strawberry slices, and make them quick, use an egg slicer...
Like a few other people, I had trouble getting my water & sugar to turn amber without turning into crystallized chunky sugar clumps. The first attempt ended in total gloppy madness. The second attempt went slightly better, though I wound up having to add all the water in before adding the strawberries to avoid a second clumpage. I just decided to go with it when it turned amber, even though I did it out of order. And I too had some trouble assembling... it was difficult to get the edges to seal, but I think it's my own fault, because of overfilling, and filling to close to the edges. Oh wells!
They baked up nicely, and since I made mine a bit smaller than the original recipe called for, mine were totally done in 20 minutes.
The result was quite good. I really enjoyed the strawberry filling... it was a bit like jam. Very good. Though I didn't really taste the ricotta filling. Maybe the strawberry flavor was too overpowering.
With the remaining scraps from trimming my puff pastry sheets, I brushed with egg wash, and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar...
Though the Turnovers were tasty, Dan probably would have been just as happy if I just made these simple little scraps!
Be sure to check out the rest of the Sweet Melissa Sunday's Bakers' posts to see their results!
The strawberry version looks so good! I love strawberries and I'm going to have to try this just as soon as strawberries come into season at the market. I also love your little cinnamon sugar bits -- those are so good.
ReplyDeleteThey look great! I love strawberries. I should have kept an eye on the oven.. 45 minutes was way to long for them, mine were burnt around the edges at 35 minutes.
ReplyDeleteWe had nothing for breakfast here this morning...and these would have been just perfect. I think I'd prefer the strawberries to apples...and great tip for the slicing.
ReplyDeleteYum, I bet these were delicious with strawberries!! Thanks for the tip on slicing them too! Your turnovers look like they turned out great. Thanks for baking with me this week :)
ReplyDeleteYum nice idea to use SB. My husband would love cherries..may have to make them again. YOur turnovers look very tasty!
ReplyDeleteOh man, these look wonderful. My grandma has one of the slicers you have and she only ever uses it for eggs!
ReplyDeleteYum, what a great idea to make these with strawberries. I think I'd like a different fruit buy my tasters did like the apples. The caramel was a bit of a pain!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Thank you so much for the chocolate chip tips! I will definitely try it. I laughed when I read that Smarties were described as oblate spheroids! Hilarious! The rainbow hat thingys were made out of fondant and stuck together with a toothpick!
ReplyDeleteThese turnovers look delicious! Funnily enough, I don't like strawberries so much (I know - I am strange) so I think I would prefer the apple filling, but the turnovers look so good nonetheless!
Strawberries, yummy!!! Thanks for the tip about the scraps; I saved them for something and now I know.
ReplyDeleteI am the complete opposite of Dan: the last thing I want to eat is a fresh apple, but I'll eat any baked good with even a hint of apple in it! Your strawberry turnovers sound delicious!
ReplyDeleteThe strawberries are a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove the slicing tip. These turnover sound super fantastic with the strawberries.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great adaptation!
ReplyDeleteAnd those tasty little scraps - mmmmm
Your turnovers look wonderful, I like the idea of making them with berries.
ReplyDeleteHope Daniel enjoyed these and that he's feeling better!! Your turnovers look totally delicious, Stephanie! I mean, using strawberries was genius. I just love it--and using your egg-slicer to get them cut perfectly...amazing! Great job!
ReplyDeleteStrawberries?!?!? GENIUS!
ReplyDeleteI like the strawberry substitution and I love the tip about using an egg slicer to slice the strawberries. Your turnovers look great. I'm glad they were a hit with the birthday boy.
ReplyDeleteOooooh, strawberries sound amazing! What a brilliant idea. I love how they look with the pink sauce oozing out the side, delish!!
ReplyDeleteKatie xox
I bet my husband would really like both versions of this recipe. Your strawberry version looks so good! My kids would love the cinnamon sugar bit, too!
ReplyDeleteHope your honey is feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteGood job on the adaptation & making such a tasty treat out of the scraps. Like Daniel I prefer my apples cold & crisp though once in a while I'll have a bite of an apple something or other that isn't a soggy yucky mess.
~ingrid
This looks wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteBravo!
Nice to meet you!
Jenifer
Fellow Food Blogger
The turnovers look flakey and delicious, I like the strawberry filling :).
ReplyDeletestrawberry sounds great too :)
ReplyDeleteHow creative and delicious sounding. I have to try this version. Sorry it has taken me so long to get around to commenting.
ReplyDelete