Buttery Caramel Apple Empanadas Recipe: A Sweet Surprise

Sweet meets savory in these irresistible caramel apple empanadas that dance between dessert and comfort food.

Golden pastry pockets cradle a molten center of spiced apple goodness.

Baked until crisp and flaky, each empanada promises a delightful burst of warmth and sweetness.

The gentle aroma of cinnamon and caramel wafts through the kitchen, promising a treat that’s both nostalgic and exciting.

Crafted with simple ingredients and a touch of culinary magic, these empanadas turn an ordinary afternoon into a celebration of flavor.

You’ll find yourself falling in love with every buttery, caramel-kissed bite.

Serve these delectable pastries warm and watch as smiles spread across eager faces.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 301 kcal

Servings: 9

Caramel Apple Empanadas: What You’ll Need

• Apples, Water: Juicy orchard gems that create a luscious, spiced base with natural sweetness and tender texture.
• Cornstarch: Magical thickening agent that transforms liquid into a silky, clingy sauce.
• Sugar: Enhances natural apple sweetness and balances the tangy undertones.
• Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that brings cozy depth and classic dessert charm.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus touch that prevents apple browning and adds vibrant tang.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, rich dairy element that provides luxurious creamy background.
• Sugar: Softens cream cheese's tang and adds delightful sweetness.
• Vanilla: Elegant flavor enhancer that complements both sweet and tangy profiles.
• Lemon Juice: Zesty accent that cuts through richness and brightens overall taste.

• Empanada Dough Discs: Tender pastry vessels that cradle delicious filling perfectly.
• Vegetable Oil: High-heat cooking medium for achieving golden, crispy exterior.
• Cinnamon, Sugar: Sparkling coating that adds irresistible sweet-spicy crunch.
• Caramel Sauce: Decadent drizzle that elevates the dessert with rich, buttery notes.

Tools for Sealing & Baking Empanadas Easily

• Medium saucepan: Essential for cooking apple filling and creating smooth, thickened sauce.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing cream cheese and blending ingredients smoothly.
• Cast iron skillet or frying pan: Key for achieving golden, crispy empanada exterior.
• Fork: Great for crimping and sealing empanada edges neatly.
• Small bowl: Ideal for preparing cinnamon sugar coating.
• Paper towels: Helps drain excess oil from fried empanadas.
• Measuring tablespoon: Ensures consistent filling portions.
• Spatula or tongs: Useful for safely turning and removing empanadas from hot oil.
• Cutting board: Helpful for chopping apples and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise apple chopping.

Bake Caramel Apple Empanadas in Just a Few Steps

Sweet Apple Paradise

• Filling Preparation

Craft a luscious apple mixture by blending chopped apples with warm spices and creating a silky caramel-like sauce. Simmer the ingredients slowly, allowing the flavors to meld and create a rich, aromatic blend.

• Creamy Surprise

Whip cream cheese into a smooth, decadent mixture that adds a tangy richness to the empanadas. The cream cheese will provide a luxurious contrast to the sweet apple filling.

• Dough Magic

Carefully place the dreamy apple and cream cheese combination into delicate pastry discs. Gently fold the dough, creating beautiful half-moon pockets that seal in all the delicious flavors.

• Crispy Golden Transformation

Submerge the delicate empanadas into hot oil, watching them transform into crispy, golden treasures. Each empanada will develop a perfectly crunchy exterior that crackles with every bite.

• Sweet Finishing Touch

After removing the empanadas from the oil, roll them in a sparkling cinnamon sugar blend. Drizzle with luxurious caramel sauce, creating a dessert that looks as spectacular as it tastes.

Sweet Tips to Improve Your Apple Empanadas

• Sprinkle ground nutmeg or allspice into the apple filling for deeper warm spice notes.
• Prepare the apple filling and cream cheese mixture up to 2 days in advance, storing separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator for convenient prep.
• Skip frying and bake empanadas at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown, creating a lighter version with less oil.
• Experiment with different fruit combinations like pear-raspberry or peach-blueberry to customize the empanada experience, maintaining similar texture and cooking techniques.
• Cool empanadas completely before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to restore crispiness and prevent sogginess.

Present Your Caramel Apple Empanadas Warm

• Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair these golden empanadas with a steaming cup of Mexican hot chocolate or a creamy cafe con leche for a delightful morning treat that celebrates rich, comforting flavors.
• Dessert Platter Delight: Create an inviting dessert spread by arranging the empanadas alongside vanilla bean ice cream, fresh mint leaves, and extra caramel drizzle for an elegant presentation that will impress guests.
• Party Appetizer Twist: Transform these empanadas into bite-sized morsels by making smaller versions perfect for cocktail parties, game nights, or potluck gatherings where guests can enjoy a handheld sweet snack.
• Seasonal Garnish Enhancement: Top the warm empanadas with a sprinkle of chopped toasted pecans or sliced almonds to add a delightful crunch and nutty complexity that complements the caramel and apple filling.

Keep Apple Empanadas Fresh Without Soggy Edges

• Fridge Storage Secrets: Wrap leftover empanadas individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain their crispy texture. Keep them refrigerated for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor integrity.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated empanadas in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. This method restores their original crispiness without making them soggy or losing their delicate filling.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Stack uncooked empanadas between parchment paper layers inside an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and fry directly from the chilled state.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the apple filling and cream cheese mixture 2 days before assembling. Store each component separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator. This approach saves time and allows flavors to develop more intensely before final cooking.

Sweet Caramel Apple Empanadas

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Spicy-sweet caramel apple empanadas blend Mexican pastry traditions with classic dessert comfort. Latin American bakeries inspire this delectable handheld treat where you can savor crisp pastry edges and warm cinnamon-kissed apple filling.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 11.6 oz (328 g) 5-inch empanada dough
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks (about 4 cups)
• 1 ½ – 2 cups (355-475 mL) vegetable oil for frying
• 1 ½ cups (355 mL) water
• ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
• ⅔ cup (133 g) sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar (for coating)
• ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
• 2 tbsps cinnamon
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Create a glossy apple sauce by gently whisking water, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice over low heat until the mixture reaches a smooth, consistent texture.
2. Filling Development: Incorporate chopped apples into the sauce, allowing them to simmer and soften while absorbing the aromatic spices, transforming into a rich, flavorful filling.
3. Cream Cheese Blend: Whip cream cheese into a light, airy consistency, blending sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla until the mixture becomes silky and uniform.
4. Empanada Assembly: Lay out dough discs and strategically layer cream cheese mixture and spiced apple filling at the center of each, preparing for precise folding.
5. Sealing and Shaping: Moisten dough edges with water, carefully fold into half-moon shapes, and crimp borders with a fork to create secure, elegant pastry pockets.
6. Frying Technique: Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to the optimal temperature, carefully frying empanadas until they achieve a uniform golden-brown exterior.
7. Finishing Touch: Drain fried empanadas on paper towels, then immediately coat with a blend of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar while still warm, ensuring complete coverage.
8. Presentation: Artfully drizzle caramel sauce over the empanadas, creating a luxurious final flourish before serving the delectable dessert.

Notes

• Prevent Soggy Filling: Pat chopped apples dry before mixing to avoid excess moisture that can make empanadas collapse during frying.
• Master Sealing Technique: Press fork edges firmly and evenly to create a tight seal, preventing filling from leaking during cooking.
• Oil Temperature Control: Maintain consistent 350-375°F oil heat for perfectly crispy, golden-brown empanadas without burning or undercooking.
• Cream Cheese Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is room temperature for smooth blending and easier spreading inside empanada dough.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 301
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 165 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg