Caramel Apple Empanadas Recipe That Kids Adore

Sweet caramel apple empanadas blend traditional pastry techniques with a delightful fruity filling that sparks culinary curiosity.

Crispy pastry shells cradle warm, gooey fruit nestled inside their golden-brown embrace.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these handheld treats combine classic comfort with unexpected flavor complexity.

Delicate dough wraps around spiced apple chunks, creating a perfect balance between crunch and softness.

Each bite promises a harmonious dance of textures and rich, caramelized notes that tantalize taste buds.

Regional baking traditions inspire this innovative dessert, elevateing simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Your kitchen will elevate into a fragrant haven when these empanadas emerge from the oven.

Why Caramel Apple Empanadas Are So Popular

• Burst with Sweet-Savory Layers: Experience a delightful dance of creamy cream cheese, tender spiced apples, and crispy golden pastry that creates an explosion of contrasting flavors in every single bite.
• Quick and Simple Dessert Magic: Whip up these empanadas in under an hour with basic kitchen ingredients, making it perfect for spontaneous sweet cravings or impressing guests without complex techniques.
• Versatile Party Crowd-Pleaser: These handheld treats work wonderfully for casual gatherings, potlucks, and family desserts, offering a fun twist on traditional apple pie with their portable, crispy exterior and gooey, cinnamon-kissed filling.
• Indulgent Caramel Finale: The final drizzle of caramel sauce transforms these empanadas from delicious to absolutely irresistible, adding a luxurious, rich sweetness that elevates the entire dessert experience.

What You Need for These Sweet and Flaky Hand Pies

• Empanada Dough: Soft, pliable dough perfect for creating delicate, golden pastry pockets.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the empanada base.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Apples: Crisp, sweet fruit that creates a classic filling with warm spices, choose firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, creamy texture and tangy flavor to the filling.
• Sugar: Sweetens both the apple filling and cream cheese mixture.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that brings depth and traditional flavor to the dessert.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and prevents apple browning.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil ideal for deep frying, ensures crispy golden exterior.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the apple filling and create a smooth sauce.
• Caramel Sauce: Provides rich, sweet drizzle for final presentation.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity.

How to Make Caramel Apple Empanadas from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Apple Cinnamon Magic

• Water
• Cornstarch
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Lemon juice
• Apples

Combine water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle bubble over low heat, stirring constantly until the sauce transforms into a glossy mixture. Fold in chopped apples and let them dance in the sauce until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Cloud Mixture

• Cream cheese
• Sugar
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla

Beat cream cheese until it becomes light and fluffy like a soft cloud. Gently fold in sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla, mixing until smooth and dreamy.

Step 3: Craft Delicious Pockets

• Empanada dough discs
• Cream cheese mixture
• Apple cinnamon filling

Lay out dough discs on a clean surface. Spoon a dollop of cream cheese mixture in the center of each disc. Top with a generous scoop of apple cinnamon filling. Dab water along the edges, then fold and crimp with a fork to seal these tasty treasures.

Step 4: Fry To Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet to 375°F. Carefully slide empanadas into the hot oil, cooking in small batches. Fry until each side turns a beautiful golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 5: Sprinkle With Sweet Dust

• Cinnamon
• Sugar

Mix cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl. While empanadas are still warm, roll them in the sweet mixture, ensuring a complete and delightful coating.

Step 6: Drizzle And Serve

Place empanadas on a serving plate. Drizzle with rich caramel sauce, creating a final touch of decadence. Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy.

Easy Tips for Baking Empanadas Without Leaks

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate empanada dough for 30 minutes before filling to prevent sticking and make crimping easier.
• Control Apple Texture: Dice apples uniformly and avoid overcooking to maintain a slight crunch in the filling.
• Seal Edges Tightly: Press fork edges firmly and ensure no filling leaks during frying to prevent oil splattering.
• Maintain Oil Temperature: Use a digital thermometer to keep oil consistently at 375°F for even, golden-brown empanadas.
• Cool Before Coating: Let fried empanadas rest for 2-3 minutes before rolling in cinnamon sugar to help coating stick better.

Best Way to Store and Reheat These Pastries

• Refrigerate: Store cooled empanadas in an airtight container for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheat in Oven: Warm empanadas at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until crispy, restoring their golden texture and preventing sogginess.
• Microwave Option: Heat for 30-45 seconds, but note this method may slightly soften the crispy exterior compared to oven reheating.

What Goes Great with Apple Empanadas

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: A creamy, aromatic chai tea perfectly complements the caramel apple empanadas, echoing the cinnamon notes and providing a cozy, comforting beverage experience.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of cold, creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm empanadas to create a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that will make taste buds dance.
• Complement with Apple Brandy: A small glass of smooth apple brandy or calvados enhances the apple filling, adding depth and warmth to the dessert's flavor profile, creating a sophisticated pairing for adult palates.
• Enjoy with Salted Caramel Latte: A rich salted caramel latte mirrors the dessert's sweet and slightly salty elements, providing a luxurious drink that bridges the empanada's complex flavor layers.

Filling Variations to Try in Your Next Batch

• Nutty Comfort: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the apple filling for an extra crunch and rich, earthy flavor that complements the sweet caramel perfectly.
• Berry Blend Delight: Swap half the apples with fresh raspberries or blueberries to create a tangy-sweet fruit combination that brightens the traditional recipe.
• Tropical Touch: Replace some of the apples with diced mango or pineapple, adding a vibrant, exotic twist to the classic empanada filling that brings unexpected brightness.
• Chocolate Drizzle Version: After coating with cinnamon sugar, add a light chocolate drizzle over the warm empanadas, creating a decadent layer of richness that melts beautifully against the crispy pastry.

Caramel Apple Empanadas Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Caramel apple empanadas blend Mexican pastry traditions with sweet autumn flavors. Crisp pastry pockets filled with spiced apple and rich caramel create a delightful dessert you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks (about 4 cups)
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
• 11.6 ounces (328 grams) (5-inch) empanada dough

Filling and Mixture Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (355 milliliters) water
• ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar
• ½ cup (100 grams) sugar (for coating)
• ¼ cup (30 grams) cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ⅓ cup (67 grams) sugar

Oil and Coating Ingredients:

• 1 ½ – 2 cups (355-475 milliliters) vegetable oil for frying
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Craft a glossy, thickened apple sauce by whisking water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice over gentle heat until the mixture transforms into a silky, consistent texture.
2. Fold chopped apples into the sauce, allowing them to simmer and soften while absorbing the aromatic spices, creating a luscious filling with tender fruit pieces.
3. Whip cream cheese into a cloud-like consistency, incorporating sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
4. Carefully position empanada dough discs on a clean work surface, creating delicate pockets of flavor by layering cream cheese mixture and spiced apple filling at the center of each disc.
5. Delicately seal the empanadas by moistening dough edges with water, gently folding into half-moon shapes, and crimping borders with a fork to ensure secure closure.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to precise frying temperature, transforming the pastries into golden-brown delicacies through careful, even cooking.
7. Drain freshly fried empanadas on paper towels to remove excess oil, preserving their crisp exterior.
8. Develop a fragrant cinnamon sugar coating by thoroughly blending ground cinnamon and granulated sugar.
9. While empanadas remain warm, generously roll them in the spiced sugar mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
10. Elevate the dessert by artfully drizzling caramel sauce over the finished empanadas, creating an indulgent final touch before serving.

Notes

• Prep smart by having all ingredients measured and ready before starting the cooking process.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 375°F to ensure even golden-brown frying without burning.
• Handle dough carefully when sealing edges to prevent filling from leaking during frying.
• Allow empanadas to cool slightly on paper towels to absorb excess oil before coating with cinnamon sugar.
• Work in small batches while frying to prevent overcrowding and maintain proper oil temperature.
• Store leftover empanadas in an airtight container and reheat in oven to retain crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 425
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg