If you’re someone who loves the classic flavors of chocolate chip cookies but craves the light, flaky texture of puff pastry, this recipe is for you. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Turnovers are a delightful dessert that combines the best of both worlds: soft, gooey cookie dough encased in golden, buttery puff pastry, drizzled with melted chocolate. It’s the perfect dessert for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a dinner party, looking for a quick indulgence, or simply want to satisfy your sweet tooth.
In this article, we’ll explore the full recipe for making these mouthwatering turnovers, discuss tips for perfecting them, and explore why this dessert is a must-try for any dessert lover.
What Makes Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Turnovers So Special?
Before diving into the recipe, let’s take a moment to appreciate why Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Turnovers are such a standout dessert.
- Flavors You Love: Chocolate chip cookie dough is a timeless treat that many of us have enjoyed straight from the mixing bowl. Pairing that with buttery puff pastry creates a balance of flavors that’s both rich and indulgent, without being overwhelming.
- Flaky Meets Gooey: Puff pastry is known for its light, flaky layers that create a delicate crunch with each bite. The cookie dough inside adds a contrast in texture, with its soft and gooey center making every bite a delight.
- Easy to Make: Although these turnovers sound fancy, they’re surprisingly simple to make. Using store-bought puff pastry saves time, and the cookie dough filling comes together in minutes. This is a great recipe for both beginner and experienced bakers.
- Customizable: While this recipe sticks to classic chocolate chip cookie dough, you can easily customize it by adding nuts, using dark chocolate, or even experimenting with different flavored doughs.
Let’s get started with the recipe.
Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Turnovers
Ingredients
For the turnover filling:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (store-bought is perfect for convenience)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
For the egg wash:
- 1 egg, beaten
For the drizzle:
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted (for drizzling on top)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, which will prevent the turnovers from sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Make the Cookie Dough
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is essential for creating a smooth cookie dough texture. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this, but a sturdy whisk will also work if you’re mixing by hand.
Once the butter and sugars are well combined, add the vanilla extract and mix it in. Then, gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms. Finally, fold in the mini chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
Set the cookie dough aside while you prepare the puff pastry.
3. Prepare the Puff Pastry
Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into four equal squares. If you want to make smaller turnovers, you can cut the pastry into more squares.
4. Fill and Fold the Turnovers
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cookie dough mixture into the center of each puff pastry square. Be careful not to overfill, as too much filling could cause the turnovers to burst open during baking.
Once you’ve added the filling, fold each square in half to create a triangle shape. Press the edges together with a fork to seal them tightly. This will also create a decorative pattern along the edges.
5. Brush with Egg Wash and Bake
Beat the egg in a small bowl to create an egg wash, which will help give the turnovers a golden, glossy finish. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the top of each turnover with the egg wash.
Place the turnovers on your prepared baking sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re puffed up and golden brown. Keep an eye on them toward the end of the baking time to ensure they don’t burn.
6. Drizzle with Melted Chocolate
While the turnovers are baking, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
Once the turnovers are done baking and have cooled slightly, drizzle the melted chocolate over the top for an extra touch of indulgence.
7. Serve and Enjoy
Serve these delightful turnovers warm for the ultimate gooey cookie dough experience, or let them cool and enjoy them at room temperature. Either way, they’re sure to be a hit!
Baking Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Turnovers
Making the perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Turnovers is simple, but here are a few tips to ensure the best results every time:
- Keep Your Puff Pastry Cold: Puff pastry works best when it’s cold, as the layers of butter inside the dough create the flaky texture when they melt and steam in the oven. If your kitchen is warm, you may want to chill the puff pastry in the fridge for a few minutes before filling and folding the turnovers.
- Don’t Overfill: While it’s tempting to pack in as much cookie dough as possible, overfilling can cause the turnovers to burst open during baking. Stick to about 1 tablespoon of filling per turnover.
- Seal the Edges Well: Use a fork to crimp the edges of the turnovers to ensure they’re tightly sealed. This will prevent the filling from leaking out while baking.
- Customize Your Cookie Dough: You can add nuts, change up the type of chocolate chips (dark chocolate, white chocolate, etc.), or even add a spoonful of peanut butter to the dough for a different flavor profile.
- Use a Piping Bag for Drizzling: For a neat drizzle of melted chocolate, you can use a piping bag or even a plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped off. This will give you more control over the drizzle pattern.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Quick and Easy
Despite how impressive these turnovers look and taste, they’re incredibly easy to make. Using store-bought puff pastry saves you time, and the cookie dough comes together with just a few basic ingredients. From start to finish, this recipe takes only about 35 minutes, making it a great option for a last-minute dessert.
2. Great for Entertaining
These turnovers are sure to impress your guests. They look elegant and taste like a treat you’d find at a bakery, but you can easily whip them up in your own kitchen. Plus, the individual portions make them perfect for serving at parties or gatherings.
3. Kid-Friendly
Kids will love these turnovers because they combine two classic favorites: chocolate chip cookies and puff pastry. Letting kids help with the assembly process—like filling the turnovers or drizzling the melted chocolate—can make baking these a fun family activity.
4. Versatile
This recipe is highly adaptable. If you want a more decadent dessert, you can add extra toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, or caramel sauce. You could also try making savory versions of these turnovers by swapping the cookie dough for a savory filling, like cheese and ham or spinach and feta.
Nutritional Information
For those curious about the nutritional content, here’s an approximate breakdown for each turnover:
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 190mg
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Sugars: 12g
- Protein: 3g
These turnovers are definitely an indulgent treat, but their rich flavor and flaky texture make them worth every calorie!
Conclusion: A Must-Try Dessert
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Turnovers are the ultimate dessert for anyone who loves the combination of buttery, flaky pastry and rich, gooey cookie dough. They’re easy to make, customizable to suit your tastes, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making them for a special event or just want a quick dessert to enjoy with your family, these turnovers are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Give this recipe a try, and you’ll see why these turnovers are a delicious twist on a classic dessert. Enjoy!