Are you craving a warm, comforting dessert that’s both easy to make and utterly delicious? Look no further than these homemade apple empanadas! These little pockets of pastry perfection are filled with a sweet and spiced apple filling, creating a delightful treat perfect for a cozy evening or a special occasion. Forget those store-bought versions; making your own is simpler than you think, and the taste is undeniably superior. This recipe offers a fantastic blend of easy recipes and healthy meals, making it perfect for homemade cooking enthusiasts of all levels.
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ½ cup ice water
For the Apple Filling:
- 6 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
Making the Pastry:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to 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.
Making the Apple Filling:
- Sauté the apples: In a large skillet, melt the tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and the juices have thickened, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Assembling and Baking the Empanadas:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°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 out circles: Use a 4-inch cookie cutter or a knife to cut out circles of dough.
- Fill the empanadas: Place a spoonful of the cooled apple filling in the center of each circle.
- Seal the empanadas: Fold the dough over the filling 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 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Let the empanadas cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, for an extra touch of sweetness.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of butter and shortening in the pastry.
- Add a sprinkle of coarse sugar to the top of the empanadas before baking for extra crunch.
- Feel free to experiment with different spices in the filling, such as cardamom or ginger.
- These apple empanadas are best served warm, but they also taste great at room temperature. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Nutritional Information (per empanada, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 250-300 Fat: 12-15g Carbohydrates: 35-40g Sugar: 15-20g Protein: 3-4g
This recipe provides delicious and easy-to-follow instructions for creating amazing apple empanadas. Perfect for quick dinner ideas or a special treat, these homemade empanadas will surely become a favorite in your household. Enjoy!