Welcome to our Mexican Christmas baking recipe feature! Today, we are bringing a touch of sweetness to your holiday spread with the delightful “Empanadas De Dulce” – Sweet Empanadas. These delicious treats are a traditional Mexican dessert commonly enjoyed during the festive season. Filled with a rich and flavorful combination of fruits, nuts, and warm spices, these empanadas are sure to become a favorite at your holiday gatherings.
### Empanadas De Dulce – Sweet Empanadas
#### Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 egg
– 2-3 tablespoons cold water
– 1 cup finely chopped apples
– 1/2 cup raisins
– 1/4 cup chopped pecans
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon cloves
– 1/4 teaspoon allspice
– 1/4 cup orange marmalade
– 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
– Powdered sugar, for dusting
#### Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Stir in the granulated sugar. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix until the dough comes together. If needed, add an additional tablespoon of water, one teaspoon at a time, until the dough forms a ball.
3. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
4. While the dough chills, prepare the filling. In a bowl, mix together the chopped apples, raisins, pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and orange marmalade until well combined.
5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the dough.
7. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal the empanadas.
8. Transfer the filled empanadas to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops of the empanadas with the beaten egg wash.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the empanadas are golden brown and crisp.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the empanadas to cool slightly before dusting them with powdered sugar.
These Empanadas De Dulce are best enjoyed warm, with a hot drink or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. They make a lovely addition to any holiday dessert table and are sure to impress your family and friends with their delicious flavors. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or simply looking to bring a taste of Mexico to your home, these sweet empanadas are a delightful choice for any occasion.
