Name: Caramel Apple Empanadas with Cinnamon Sugar Crust
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Latin American cuisine
Ingredients: 2.5 cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed); 1 tbsp granulated sugar; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.5 cup ice water (plus more if needed); 3 pcs apples (medium, peeled, cored, and finely diced (e.g., Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)); 0.5 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade); 2 tbsp granulated sugar; 1 tsp cinnamon (ground); 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp lemon juice; 1 pcs egg (beaten for egg wash); 0.25 cup granulated sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Golden brown, crescent-shaped empanadas dusted with cinnamon sugar sparkle, resting on a rustic wooden board with a few scattered apple slices, suggesting a delightfully sweet and cozy dessert.

Experience the comforting embrace of autumn with these delightful caramel apple empanadas, perfect for a sweet street-style snack. Golden-brown pastries, crisp to the bite, encase a warm, bubbling filling of tender diced apples and rich caramel, all dusted with a fragrant cinnamon-sugar blend. Each bite offers a harmonious contrast of textures and flavors – the flaky crust yielding to the sweet, spiced apple filling. These empanadas are perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a handheld treat on a cool evening. They capture the essence of street food with an elevated, homemade touch, making them an irresistible indulgence that transports you to a cozy, festive market.

Preparation time: 40 min
Cooking time: 25 min
Total time: 1 hr 5 min
Servings: 12

Instructions

prepare the dough

1In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
2Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix. Form the dough into two flattened discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

prepare the filling

1In a medium bowl, combine the finely diced apples, caramel sauce, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Stir well to ensure the apples are evenly coated.

assemble the empanadas

1Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cutter or a knife to cut out circles.
3Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border uncovered.
4Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly to seal, then crimp with a fork for a decorative finish and to ensure they are sealed tightly.
5Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Place the assembled empanadas on the prepared baking sheet.

bake the empanadas

1In a small bowl, whisk the egg for the egg wash. Brush the tops of the empanadas with the egg wash.
2In another small bowl, mix together the 1/4 cup granulated sugar with the 1 tsp ground cinnamon for the cinnamon-sugar crust. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the egg-washed empanadas.
3Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let them cool slightly before serving. These handheld delights are best served warm, mimicking the fresh pastries found at a lively street market.

Instructions

prepare the dough

1In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
2Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix. Form the dough into two flattened discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

prepare the filling

1In a medium bowl, combine the finely diced apples, caramel sauce, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Stir well to ensure the apples are evenly coated.

assemble the empanadas

1Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cutter or a knife to cut out circles.
3Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the apple filling onto one half of each dough circle, leaving a small border uncovered.
4Fold the other half of the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly to seal, then crimp with a fork for a decorative finish and to ensure they are sealed tightly.
5Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Place the assembled empanadas on the prepared baking sheet.

bake the empanadas

1In a small bowl, whisk the egg for the egg wash. Brush the tops of the empanadas with the egg wash.
2In another small bowl, mix together the 1/4 cup granulated sugar with the 1 tsp ground cinnamon for the cinnamon-sugar crust. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the egg-washed empanadas.
3Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Let them cool slightly before serving. These handheld delights are best served warm, mimicking the fresh pastries found at a lively street market.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 351 kcal
Protein: 3 g
Fat: 19 g
Carbs: 42 g

Nutrient	Per serving
Calories	351 kcal
Protein	3 g
Fat	19 g
Carbs	42 g

Tips

Keep the butter and dough as cold as possible to ensure a flaky crust. If your kitchen is warm, chill your flour before starting.
Don't overfill the empanadas, as this can make them difficult to seal and prone to bursting during baking, leading to a messy, sticky situation.
For an extra indulgent sweet street eat experience, serve these warm empanadas with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or an extra drizzle of caramel sauce.