Mango and Cream Cheese Turon

Mango and Cream Cheese Turon is a delicious twist on our classic lumpia dessert. Perfectly sweet, crispy, and creamy, it’s a tasty fruit treat that’s sure to be a hit!

I’ve been trying, like, forever, to introduce G to the Filipino cuisine but without success. If I had a nickel for every time something akin to terror flits through his big blue eyes when I offer him a bite of my frog legs, chicken feet, and pig jowls, I’ll be by now driving a Ferrari.

But although the dude seldom steps beyond his comfort food of steak and potatoes, he has developed a deep love for banana turon. He would hover around me when I fry these dessert spring rolls and would easily polish half a dozen straight off the pan.

Yesterday, however, he was craving for some but we didn’t have any saba bananas on hand. He looked so disappointed that I had to be resourceful.

I spied two perfectly ripe Philippine mangoes on the counter and a block of cream cheese in the fridge and had a brilliant light bulb moment! The mango and cream cheese turon turned out so good; they didn’t even make it to the table.

How to wrap spring rolls

• On a clean, flat work surface, lay a wrapper in a diamond shape with one corner facing you.
• Roll a slice of mango in sugar and arrange horizontally about 2 inches from the bottom corner of the wrapper. Place a strip of cream cheese lengthwise on top of the mango.
• Fold the bottom corner over the filling and then fold in sides. Starting at the bottom, roll up the wrapper to form a tight log around the filling.
• Lightly wet the top corner of the wrapper with water and press to seal.

Cooking tips

• For the best texture and taste, use Manila mangoes and choose ones that are ripe but still firm.
• Thaw the lumpia wrappers and carefully peel apart. While working, cover the remaining wrappers with a damp kitchen or paper towel to keep from drying out.
• Use oil with high smoke points such as canola or corn oil for frying. Use enough oil to cover the turon rolls fully.
• Maintain temperature at 350 F to 375 F. If too low, the lumpia will absorb a lot more grease. If too high, the wrappers will burn before fully cooked.
• Drain on a metal colander or wire rack and not on paper towels as they’ll stick.

How to serve

• Mango cream cheese spring rolls are delicious as a snack or dessert. Serve with ice cream or coconut caramel sauce for an amazing sweet treat!
• They’re best eaten freshly cooked as they tend to lose crispness over time.
• To keep from getting soggy, store the fried turon uncovered.