Step 1

In a medium saucepan, combine the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Step 2

Cook over medium-low heat, slightly covered and stirring every minute, until the apples are tender. This takes between 7-10 minutes, depending on your heat source.

Step 3

Mix the cornstarch and the water together in a small bowl or cup to make a slurry.

Step 4

Add the slurry to the apples and cook the filling until it thickens, about a minute. Take it off the heat and set it aside to cool a bit before assembling the turnovers.

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 375℉ / 190℃. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.

Step 6

Melt the ½ cup (113g) butter.

Step 7

Unroll the phyllo dough and lay one sheet of phyllo dough vertically on a flat surface (& make sure to keep the remaining phyllo sheets covered with a damp kitchen towel so they don't dry out).

Step 8

Drizzle the sheet with melted butter all over and quickly brush the edges. (You don't have to thoroughly brush the surface, just drizzle it.)

Step 9

Fold the sheet in half vertically (longways). Then drizzle with a little more melted butter, and fold it in half again.

Step 10

Starting at the bottom, add about 1 ½ tablespoons of apple filling, one inch inside from the edges of the pointed corner (see picture tutorial in post for details).

Step 11

Fold the bottom edge of the phyllo sheet over the filling to form a triangle.

Step 12

Then fold the entire left side to seal the filling. If the apple filling is too close to the edge and you can't fold over the left edge, just nudge the filling to the right with your fingers and then fold the left side of the phyllo dough (see picture tutorial in post for details).

Step 13

Then fold the phyllo sheet, diagonally, flag-style, to form a triangle all the way to the top when you reach the end. Then place it on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 14

Repeat the process for the remaining sheets and filling. Brush the tops with the remaining melted butter and bake the turnovers for about 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown (since ovens vary, check them after about 15 minutes, so they don't burn.)

Step 15

When done, let the turnovers cool for a few minutes before serving.

Step 16

Enjoy!