Name: Caramel Apple Empanadas
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 empanadas
Ingredients: 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped into small chunks (about 4 cups); 1½ cups water; ¾ cups sugar; ¼ cup cornstarch; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature; ⅓ cup sugar; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 11.6 ounce 5” empanada dough; 1½-2 cups vegetable oil, for frying; ½ cup sugar; 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Caramel Apple Empanadas are a fall dream baked into a delightful pastry pocket. There’s something incredibly comforting and nostalgic about the combination of warm, spiced apples and gooey caramel, all encased in a perfectly flaky crust. This beloved dessert, whether enjoyed at a cozy gathering or as a sweet indulgence for yourself, evokes memories of crisp autumn air and harvest traditions. What makes our Caramel Apple Empanadas truly special is the careful balance of tart apples, rich, buttery caramel, and a hint of warming cinnamon, all senon-alcoholic aled within a golden-brown empanada shell that’s wonderfully crisp on the outside and wonderfully tender within. It’s a simple yet sophisticated treat that’s guaranteed to bring smiles all around. Get ready to create your own batch of these irresistible Caramel Apple Empanadas!

Caramel Apple Empanadas

There’s something undeniably comforting and festive about a warm, flaky pastry filled with sweet, spiced fruit. And when that fruit happens to be a perfectly cooked apple, drizzled with caramel goodness, you’ve struck dessert gold. Today, we’re diving into the delightful world of Caramel Apple Empanadas. These individual hand pies are a fantastic way to enjoy classic caramel apple flavors in a portable, shareable, and utterly delicious package. They’re perfect for a cozy autumn afternoon, a holiday gathering, or just because you deserve a treat. Let’s get started on creating these little pockets of joy!

Ingredients:

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks (about 4 cups)

1½ cups water

¾ cup sugar

¼ cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon lemon juice

8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature

⅓ cup sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

11.6 ounce package 5” empanada dough (I used Goya)

1½-2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

½ cup sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

Caramel Apple Filling Preparation

The heart of our empanadas is this luscious caramel apple filling. It’s a simple process that yields incredible flavor.

In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped Granny Smith apples, 1½ cups of water, ¾ cup of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the apples are tender but not mushy. You want them to hold their shape somewhat.

While the apples are simmering, prepare your cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, whisk together the ¼ cup of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the simmering liquid from the apple mixture until smooth and lump-free. This is crucial to prevent any starchy lumps in your filling.

Once the apples are tender, remove them from the heat. Gradually whisk the cornstarch slurry into the hot apple mixture. Return the saucepan to medium heat and stir constantly until the mixture thickens to a glossy, caramel-like consistency. This should only take a few minutes. Stir in the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Remove from heat and let the apple filling cool completely. Cooling is important; you don’t want to melt your cream cheese when you add it.

Cream Cheese Mixture

This next step adds a delightful creamy element that beautifully complements the tart apples and caramel.

In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but a sturdy whisk will also work. Ensure there are no lumps. Add the ⅓ cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Beat again until everything is well combined and smooth.

Once the apple filling has cooled down, gently fold it into the cream cheese mixture. You want to incorporate it evenly without overmixing, as you’ll still see streaks of the apple filling, which is visually appealing. This creates our signature Caramel Apple Cream Cheese filling.

Assembling the Empanadas

Now comes the fun part – turning these delicious ingredients into individual empanada treasures!

Lay out your empanada dough discs on a clean, lightly floured surface. If your dough is frozen, make sure it’s thawed according to package directions. Using a spoon, place about 2-3 tablespoons of the caramel apple cream cheese filling onto one half of each empanada disc, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges. Be careful not to overfill, or the filling might leak out during frying.

Moisten the edges of the empanada dough with a little water. This acts as a “glue” to help seal the empanadas. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Press down firmly around the edges with your fingers to seal. For an extra secure seal and a decorative touch, crimp the edges with the tines of a fork. You can also use an empanada press if you have one. Make sure they are well senon-alcoholic aled to prevent any filling from escaping during frying.

Frying and Finishing Touches

The final steps bring our empanadas to golden, crispy perfection.

Heat the 1½-2 cups of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). You can test the oil temperature by dropping a tiny piece of dough into it; it should sizzle immediately and float to the surface. Carefully slide 2-3 empanadas at a time into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to carefully remove the empanadas from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain any excess oil.

While the empanadas are still warm, prepare the cinnamon-sugar coating. In a shallow dish, combine the ½ cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. Toss the warm empanadas in this cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating them evenly. The warmth of the empanadas will help the cinnamon sugar adhere beautifully.

These Caramel Apple Empanadas are best enjoyed warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The crispy, flaky pastry, the warm, spiced apple and cream cheese filling, and the sweet cinnamon-sugar coating create an irresistible combination. Enjoy every bite!

Conclusion:

There you have it – your guide to crafting delicious Caramel Apple Empanadas! I truly hope you’ll give this recipe a try. These sweet, flaky pastries are a delightful explosion of warm, spiced apples and rich, gooey caramel, all encased in a perfectly golden, buttery dough. They’re incredibly versatile, making them perfect for a cozy afternoon treat, a festive holiday dessert, or even a crowd-pleasing potluck contribution. The aroma alone is enough to make your kitchen feel like a bakery!

For serving, I love them warm, dusted with a little powdered sugar or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You could also drizzle them with extra caramel sauce for an even more indulgent experience. Don’t be afraid to experiment with variations! Consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cinnamon to the apple filling for extra warmth, or even some chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch. For a bolder flavor, a touch of bourbon extract in the caramel sauce can be surprisingly delicious. I encourage you to gather your ingredients and embark on this wonderfully rewarding baking adventure. I’m confident you’ll be delighted with the results!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the empanada dough up to 2 days in advance and store it, tightly wrapped, in the refrigerator. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before rolling it out to make it more pliable.

How should I store leftover caramel apple empanadas?

Leftover empanadas can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy again.

Caramel Apple Empanadas

Sweet and savory empanadas filled with tender caramel apples and creamy cheese, fried to golden perfection.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
20 Minutes

Total Time
50 Minutes

Servings
12 empanadas

Ingredients

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped into small chunks (about 4 cups)
1½ cups water
¾ cups sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
⅓ cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
11.6 ounce 5” empanada dough
1½-2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1
In a medium saucepan, combine chopped apples, 1½ cups water, ¾ cup sugar, ¼ cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the apples are tender and the mixture has thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
Step 2
Remove from heat and let cool slightly. In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, ⅓ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
Step 3
In a small bowl, combine ½ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar coating.
Step 4
Lay out the empanada dough discs. Spoon a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto one half of each disc, then top with a tablespoon of the cooled apple filling. Moisten the edges of the dough with water, fold over, and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
Step 5
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the empanadas, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Step 6
Remove empanadas from the oil and drain on paper towels. Immediately toss the warm empanadas in the cinnamon sugar mixture until well coated.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

Caramel Apple Empanadas-Sweet Pastry Bliss

Caramel Apple Empanadas