Next, in a separate bowl, combine the chopped strawberries with the cornstarch. This helps to thicken the juices so your turnovers won’t be soggy. Gently fold the strawberries into the cream cheese mixture until just combined. Make sure not to overmix; we want to maintain those beautiful strawberry chunks that will burst with flavor when you take a bite!
Now, roll out your puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into squares—about 6×6 inches is perfect. Place a spoonful of the cream cheese and strawberry filling onto one half of each square, leaving enough room to fold and seal. Brush the edges with a bit of egg wash (just whisk an egg with a splash of water). Fold the dough over to create a triangle and press to seal. I like to use a fork to crimp the edges; it adds a cute touch and keeps everything inside!
Finally, place the turnovers onto your prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with more egg wash and sprinkle them lightly with sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. The aroma will fill your kitchen, and I guarantee it’ll have everyone coming in for a sneak peek!
Pro Tips for Best Results
As I was testing this recipe, I tried using both fresh and frozen strawberries. While fresh strawberries definitely produce that vibrant taste and texture, frozen ones can work, too—just be sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid first. This small detail made a world of difference in maintaining the pastries’ flaky integrity!
I also experimented with different types of sugar for dusting. Granulated sugar gives you that sweet crunch, but using brown sugar adds a hint of caramel flavor which complements the strawberries beautifully. If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinkle a touch of cinnamon in the sugar mix for an extra flavor kick!
Lastly, let your turnovers cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before digging in. Although that’s super hard to do, allowing them to cool slightly helps the filling set a bit more, so you won’t have a huge gooey mess when you bite into them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes I made initially was overfilling the turnovers. While it’s tempting to pile on that delicious filling, too much can cause them to burst open during baking. Trust me, no one wants to lose that creamy goodness in the oven! Stick to about 1-2 tablespoons of filling per turnover—it’s just the right amount. (See the next page below to continue…)