Sweet Empanadas Dough Recipes

HOW TO MAKE SWEET EMPANADA DOUGH

Steps:

• Mix the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor.
• Add the butter, eggs and water until a clumpy dough forms.
• Knead the dough for a few minutes.
• Form dough into 2 balls, flatten into thick discs, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough into a thin sheet and cut out round disc shapes for empanadas, use round molds or a small plate or cup as a mold, you can choose how large based on whether you want small or medium sized empanadas .
• Use the empanada discs immediately or store in the refrigerator or freezer to use later.
• To assemble these sweet empanadas or dessert turnovers, place the filling of your choice on the center of each empanada disc. Don't add too much filling since it makes it harder to close or seal the empanadas when they're overstuffed.
• To seal the empanadas, fold the disc and seal the edges by pressing the dough with your fingers. If needed, you can brush the inside edges with egg white, it will act as a glue for the empanadas. You can do a final seal by pressing the top of a fork against the edges. You can also try a curl type seal, called repulgue or churito, by using your fingers to twist the curl the edges - this is harder with sweet empanadas than with regular savory empanada dough.
• For best results, refrigerate the empanadas for at least 30 minutes before baking - this also helps them seal better and prevents the filling from leaking out.
• If you want your empanadas to have a nice golden finish, then you can brush them with egg wash (a whole egg whisked or egg yolk plus a few drops of water whisked). After brushing the empanadas with egg wash, you can sprinkle sugar (I prefer brown sugar or demerara) on top. You can also sprinkle them with regular or powdered sugar after baking.
• Bake the empanadas in a pre-heated oven. I usually bake them at 375F/190C. The baking time will vary based on the oven and size of empanadas, and should be in the range of 18-25 minutes - the empanadas will be ready once they are golden on top.

EMPANADA DOUGH

Steps:

• Whisk together the 2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl until evenly blended; make a well in the center of the mixture. Whisk the egg yolk and water together in a small bowl until smooth; pour into the well and mix to form a stiff dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
• Roll the dough with a rolling pin until thin, sprinkling with flour to prevent from sticking. Brush with melted butter and roll it like a jelly roll. Cut with a sharp knife into 1 1/2-inch slices. Roll each piece into a circle and fill with about 1 tablespoon filling. Fold over into half moons and seal.

SWEET EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Cream butter and cream cheese together in a large mixing bowl until well blended and smooth; add the flour and beat well.
• Shape the dough into a smooth ball, wrap in cling film, and chill in the fridge for 8 hours.
• Remove dough from refrigerator 20 minutes before using and preheat the oven to 190C, 375F, gas mark 5.
• Lightly flour a work surface and roll the dough out to 1/4-inch thick; cut into circles using a 3-inch biscuit cutter.
• Place a small spoonful of jam in centre of each circle, moisten edges with water then fold over to form a half circle and press the edges together.
• Place on un-greased baking sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes; while the empanadas are baking mix the sugar and cinnamon together.
• Remove from the oven and immediately roll in the cinnamon sugar.

SWEET POTATO EMPANADAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, mash the sweet potatoes with a fork, and mix in the cream cheese, brown sugar if using, lemon juice, and pinch of salt until creamy. Remove the dough from the tube and separate into 4 rectangles. Working with 1 rectangle at a time, roll over the perforated lines in the dough to seal together. Cut the rectangle in half and then cut the halves into 2 triangles. Place a heaping teaspoon of sweet potato filling in the center of each of 4 triangles. Fold the dough over on each, as if you were making ravioli, and pinch the edges together.
• Continue making little triangle empanadas with the rest of the dough, 16 total. Place the triangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet and into the preheated oven. Bake the empanadas until golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt. While still warm, brush the empanadas with melted butter, and then gently toss in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Serve the empanadas with tangy plain yogurt for dipping.

AUTHENTIC EMPANADA PASTRY DOUGH

Steps:

• Combine sifted flour and butter in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until crumbly. Add egg and pulse until just combined.
• Dissolve salt in warm water. Add gradually to the food processor and pulse until a soft dough ball forms. Turn ball into a bowl and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Dust a work surface with flour and knead dough for 1 minute. Roll out thinly and cut into discs. Freeze discs for later use or use right away for your favorite sweet or savory empanadas.