Description
Sweet cinnamon-spiced caramel apple empanadas bring golden pastry pockets filled with warm, gooey apple goodness. Crisp edges and rich caramel center promise delightful comfort in each delectable bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¼ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tsp water (for thickening)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 package refrigerated pie crust (2 rounds) or empanada dough
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp water
- Extra caramel sauce (optional)
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize Filling: In a skillet, melt butter and sauté diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until apples soften and become fragrant. Incorporate cornstarch slurry to thicken the mixture, creating a rich, glossy consistency. Remove from heat and fold in caramel sauce, allowing the filling to cool and develop deep, complex flavors.
- Prepare Pastry: Roll out pie crust and transform into precise circular shapes using a cutter or bowl rim. Carefully position a generous spoonful of apple-caramel mixture at the center of each dough circle.
- Shape and Seal: Elegantly fold dough over to create crescent-like pockets, ensuring a tight seal by crimping edges with a fork. Brush empanadas with an egg wash to guarantee a gorgeous golden sheen during baking.
- Cooking Options:
- Baking Method: Arrange empanadas on a parchment-lined sheet and slide into a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven. Bake until pastry turns a luminous golden brown, approximately 18-20 minutes.
- Frying Technique: Alternatively, submerge in 350°F (175°C) oil, frying until each side achieves a crispy, amber-colored exterior, roughly 2-3 minutes per side.
- Finishing Touches: Allow empanadas to cool slightly, then embellish with an additional drizzle of caramel sauce and a delicate dusting of powdered sugar for an irresistible presentation.
Notes
- Cool apple mixture completely before assembling to avoid wet dough and ensure crisp pastry edges.
- Maintain consistent oven or oil heat around 375F to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking.
- Use fork edges or crimp carefully to prevent filling leakage during baking or frying, ensuring all edges are tightly pressed.
- Substitute pie crust with gluten-free alternatives or whole wheat dough for different nutritional profiles, and replace butter with plant-based options for vegan version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg