Are you craving a delicious and easy dessert that's both comforting and impressive? Look no further than these delightful Dulce de Leche Empanadas! These sweet pastries are filled with creamy, caramel-like dulce de leche, offering a perfect balance of flaky pastry and rich filling. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe is designed to guide you through creating these heavenly treats. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this simple yet spectacular homemade dessert! This recipe is perfect for those looking for easy recipes, quick dinner ideas (yes, dessert counts!), or simply delicious dishes for any occasion.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ½ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 1 cup dulce de leche (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
Making the Dough:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in Butter: Add the chilled, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Add Water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a flakier crust.
Assembling and Baking the Empanadas:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ⅛ inch thickness.
- Cut Circles: Using a 4-inch cookie cutter or a knife, cut out circles from the dough.
- Fill the Empanadas: Place a spoonful of dulce de leche in the center of each circle.
- Fold and Seal: Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative finish.
- Bake: Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the empanadas cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, for an extra touch of sweetness.
Tips for Success:
- Keep it Cold: The key to flaky empanadas is using cold butter and chilling the dough. This prevents the butter from melting too quickly during baking.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten, resulting in a tough crust. Mix just until the dough comes together.
- Even Filling: Make sure to use a consistent amount of dulce de leche in each empanada for even baking.
Variations:
- Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the dulce de leche filling for added texture and flavor.
- Spice it Up: A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg in the dough or filling adds a warm, comforting spice.
- Chocolate Swirl: Mix in some melted dark chocolate with the dulce de leche for a decadent twist.
Nutritional Information (per empanada, approximate):
- Calories: Around 250-300
- Fat: Around 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: Around 30-35g
- Sugar: Around 15-20g
These Dulce de Leche Empanadas are a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the process of homemade cooking and savor every bite of this easy and delicious dessert! They are also a great option for healthy meals if you're mindful of portion sizes. These best recipes are easily adaptable to your preferences, offering endless possibilities for culinary creativity.