Cajeta Empanadas Recipes

CAJETA EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Add the shortening to a glass bowl and microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute to melt the shortening. Add the warm water, granulated sugar and vanilla, stir to dissolve the sugar slightly.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients until the dough forms. Make 24 dough balls, cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. In a shallow bowl, combine the raw sugar and the crushed pecans.
• Using a tortilla press lined with plastic, flatten the dough balls, one at a time, and fill with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of cajeta. You could also use a flat-bottomed plate to flatten the dough balls. Using the plastic to help you, gently fold over and pinch the edges to seal the empanada. Fold the dough over slightly as you pinch. Keep the dough balls covered so that they don't dry out.
• Roll the empanadas into the sugar and pecan mixtures, patting down slightly so the sugar sticks on each side. Transfer the empanadas to the baking sheets.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until slightly golden brown. You may have to bring the bottom pan up and bake an extra few minutes after top pan is done. It's likely that some of the cajeta will leak out while baking. Cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container. The shelf life is 3 to 5 days.

EMPANADAS DE CAJETA

Steps:

• Combine the flour and margarine in a large bowl, mixing thoroughly with a stand mixer or with your hands.
• Add the cream bit by bit, mixing the empanada dough until sticky but not watery.
• On a floured surface, take chunks of the dough and roll them into balls that are about 1 and ½ inches wide.
• Place plastic sheets or bags onto your empanada or tortilla press. This way, the dough won't stick to the metal surface.
• Place a dough ball in the middle of the press and press until a circle is formed. Move the flattened disc aside, and repeat the process until all of the dough has been made into circles.
• At this point, you can go ahead and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Lay out your dough circles, and place about one tablespoon of cajeta in the center of each circle. You want to be careful not to add too much cajeta, or it will melt and run out of the empanadas as they bake.
• On a lightly floured surface, close the empanadas by folding them over the cajeta dollops and then securing the seam by making marks around the edge with your fork.
• Brush the empanadas with the egg wash and place them on a lightly floured baking sheet (or one covered with parchment paper). Bake for 20- 30 minutes or until just golden brown.
• Some people sprinkle the empanadas with granulated sugar before serving, but that's more common in Mexico.

CREPES CAJETA

Steps:

• To make the cajeta: place the unopened can of milk in a heavy saucepan and cover completely with water. Over very low heat, cook at a bare quiver for 3 hours, adding more water as necessary as it evaporates. With an oven glove, turn the can over and cook for 2 1/2 hours more. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate overnight.
• In a blender, combine the milk, eggs, sugar, flour, butter, salt, vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon and blend until completely smooth. Let the batter sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Heat a small nonstick skillet and pour in about 2 tablespoons of the crepe batter, swirling the pan immediately to make sure the batter covers the pan evenly. Cook until small bubbles form on the surface, then flip to the other side. Slide onto a plate and make the remaining crepes in the same way, stacking them on the plate until you are finished.
• To assemble the crepes: open the can of cooked condensed milk and stir it up from the bottom with a fork, blending to an evenly thick consistency. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the "cajeta evenly over the surface of one crepe. Scatter some of the toasted pecans over the top and roll up into a tube. Repeat with the remaining crepes and reheat in a low oven for a few minutes before serving. Serve 4 crepes per person, sprinkled with a little confectioners sugar and scattered with raspberries.

CAJETA (CARAMEL) EMPANADAS RECIPE

Steps:

• Roll out the empanada dough and cut large circles with a large circle cutter or flip a bowl over and cut around it.
• Place a large spoon of cajeta in the middle of the dough. Fold the dough over and press firmly to close. Crimp the edges very well. This is super important to do it well or while it is baking, the cajeta will melt all over the pan.
• Mix the cinnamon and sugar together and roll each empanada gently pressing to coat both sides.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place on the cookie sheet and put in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375°. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. The empanadas will be a light brown on both sides when done.
• If the cajeta melts out, no worries, just open a bit and add some more before serving.

CAJETA PINEAPPLE EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Working with 1 sheet of puff pastry at a time, unfold on a lightly floured surface and cut out four 4-inch circles.
• Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl. Place 1/2 teaspoon cajeta in the center of each circle. Top each with some grated cheese and a few pieces of pineapple. Brush the edge of each circle with the egg wash and fold in half to form a half-moon. Crimp the edges with fork.
• Transfer the empanadas to the prepared baking sheet, brush with the remaining egg wash and sprinkle with the demerara sugar. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

QUICK AND EASY EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Brown the ground beef in a frying pan adding the salt and pepper just before done.
• Let the beef cool.
• In a large bowl mix the corn, onions, cheese, and salsa, then add the cooled beef mixing carefully so not to break up all the cheese.
• Roll the biscuits out flat to about 2-1/2 times their size.
• Place approx 1/3 cup filling on one side of the center of the circle lengthwise.
• Fold the dough over the filling like a turn over and crimp the edges like a pie crust. Be careful not to tear the dough, and to seal the edges completely or your filling will come out! depending on how much filling is used will determine how many biscuits you will use.
• Place on slightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 till lightly browned.

EMPANADAS

Steps:

• DAY BEFORE: Cream butter and cream cheese together until smoothly blended. Beat in the flour. Shape dough into a smooth ball, wrap in foil or cling wrap, and refrigerate overnight or up to a week.
• AT BAKING TIME: Remove dough from refrigerator 30 minutes before using. Start heating oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Roll chilled dough thin. Cut with 3 or 4 inch round cookie cutter. Place small spoonful of jam in center of each round, moisten edges with water.
• Fold round over and press edges together. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 15 to 20 minutes. Immediately roll in sugar mixed with cinnamon (traditional) OR in confectioners' sugar if preferred.