Print

Cozy Caramel Apple Empanadas

caramel apple empanadas - featured image
Print Recipe

These cozy caramel apple empanadas combine tart spiced apples with gooey caramel inside a flaky, buttery crust, making a perfect handheld fall dessert that’s easy to make and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (about 315 g), sifted
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (170 g), cold and cut into small cubes
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 6 to 8 tablespoons ice-cold water
  • 1 large egg (for egg wash)
  • 3 medium apples (about 450 g), peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar (70 g), packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ cup store-bought caramel sauce (120 ml)
  • Pinch of sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine sifted flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and cut into the flour using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits.
  2. Gradually add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently with a fork until dough holds together but is not sticky. Form dough into a flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender but not mushy (about 8-10 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to about ⅛ inch thickness. Cut out 4-5 inch diameter circles using a round cutter or bowl.
  5. Place 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of apple filling in the center of each dough circle. Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of caramel sauce on top of the filling. Fold dough over to form a half-moon shape and press edges firmly. Crimp edges with a fork to seal.
  6. Beat egg with a splash of water and brush the tops of empanadas with egg wash.
  7. Place empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
  8. Let empanadas cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Keep butter and water cold to ensure flaky dough. Chill dough before rolling. Cook apple filling until tender but not mushy and let cool before assembling to prevent soggy crust. Seal edges well and crimp with a fork to avoid filling leakage. Egg wash gives a golden, shiny crust. Empanadas can be frozen raw or baked for later use.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple empanadas, fall dessert, easy dessert, apple dessert, caramel dessert, handheld dessert, autumn recipe

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/cozy-caramel-apple-empanadas-recipe-easy-perfect-fall-dessert-ideas/