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Delicious Caramel Apple Empanadas

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These caramel apple empanadas feature a flaky buttery crust filled with warmly spiced apples and luscious caramel, making a cozy and easy fall dessert perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (about 315g)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (113g), cold and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 6–8 tablespoons ice water
  • 3 medium apples (about 1 lb/450g), peeled and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar (70g)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar mixed with ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional topping)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold cubed butter and cut into flour using a pastry cutter or fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter bits.
  2. Slowly add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until dough just comes together. Shape into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Prepare the Filling: Combine peeled and diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a bowl. Toss to coat evenly and let sit for 10 minutes to macerate.
  4. Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to about ⅛ inch thickness. Cut out 4-5 inch circles using a cutter or bowl rim.
  5. Assemble Empanadas: Place about 1 tablespoon of apple mixture in the center of each dough circle. Drizzle about 1 teaspoon caramel sauce over the apples. Fold dough over to form a half-moon and press edges firmly to seal, crimping with a fork.
  6. Apply Egg Wash & Sugar: Transfer empanadas to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush each with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mix if desired.
  7. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake empanadas for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
  8. Cool & Serve: Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Keep ingredients cold for flaky dough. Don’t overfill to prevent leakage. Seal edges well and crimp with a fork. Use fresh apples for best texture. Egg wash is important for golden crust. For gluten-free, substitute flour with 1:1 gluten-free blend. For dairy-free, use coconut oil instead of butter and almond milk instead of egg wash.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple empanadas, fall dessert, easy dessert, homemade empanadas, apple dessert, caramel dessert, cozy dessert

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/delicious-caramel-apple-empanadas-recipe-easy-homemade-fall-dessert/