Do-it-yourself Caramelized Pineapple Empanadas | The Novice Chef

These simple Pineapple Empanadas (empanadas de piña) are made with caramelized pineapple chunks, actual caramel sauce, and basic empanada dough. An ideal handheld dessert with brilliant, luscious taste!

*This recipe is sponsored by Dixie Crystals. Thanks for supporting the manufacturers that make this web site doable!*

Candy Pineapple Empanadas with Do-it-yourself Caramel Sauce

Empanadas are virtually synonymous with “scrumptious,” don’t you assume? There’s nothing fairly like a flaky hand pie, whether or not it’s full of savory spiced beef, hearty potatoes, cheese, or fruit! So why not whip up some flaky, crispy treats?

Pineapple empanadas are a favourite candy model of empanadas. You’ll discover recipes calling for pineapple jam, pineapple preserves, or simply common previous canned pineapple. This recipe is somewhat totally different as a result of the filling is paired with actual do-it-yourself caramel sauce! Plus, the pineapple can also be caramelized with a little bit of brown sugar and a few cinnamon. All in all, the mix of brilliant tropical pineapple, heat buttery caramel, cinnamon, and a flaky crust – nicely, it’s fairly magical! That is critically a recipe you’re going to wish to attempt.

On the lookout for a savory empanada recipe? Attempt these simple beef empanadas or my do-it-yourself rooster empanadas!

What You’ll Want

Though there are three foremost components of this recipe, none of them could be very sophisticated, and also you don’t want many elements. (And naturally, in case you choose to make use of store-bought caramel sauce, the listing will get even shorter.) Listed below are the objects you’ll must make this recipe from begin to end.

For the Caramel Sauce

• Sugar: I favor Dixie Crystals Granulated Sugar, however you too can use brown sugar.
• Water: To dissolve the sugar – simply a few tablespoons.
• Butter: I exploit unsalted butter, and I add a pinch of salt to the recipe, however you can use salted butter and regulate the added salt to your style.
• Heavy Cream: A beneficiant splash of cream makes the caramel sauce wealthy and extra-indulgent.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract offers the caramel sauce a dreamy taste!
• Salt: Only a pinch.

For the Caramelized Pineapples

• Pineapple: This recipe is tremendous simple due to canned pineapple chunks! However when you have some contemporary pineapple to make use of, that’s completely wonderful, too. Both will work fantastically!
• Brown Sugar: I used some Dixie Crystals Brown Sugar to caramelize the pineapple. Additional yum.
• Cinnamon: You’ll be able to omit this in case you favor, but it surely actually provides a particular contact!

For the Empanadas

• Empanada Dough: I like my recipe for do-it-yourself empanada dough, however store-bought additionally works simply wonderful. If utilizing retailer purchased, I like to recommend Goya tapas measurement frozen empanada dough. (In the event you go along with frozen dough, you will have to let it thaw within the fridge earlier than utilizing.)
• Egg Wash: Beat 1 giant egg with a few teaspoons of water to make an egg wash for the empanadas. It will give them an appetizing, golden-brown shade.
• Sugar: A little bit extra granulated sugar is sweet for including some texture and sparkle to the skin of the empanadas, however isn’t needed.

Is Empanada Dough the Similar as Pie Dough?

You could be questioning in case you can substitute pie crust dough for empanada dough, and the brief reply is: certain! Pie crust will work, but it surely does have a barely totally different taste and texture.

As a result of empanada dough is commonly made egg yolks, along with a lot of butter, it has a extra tender consistency than pie crust. It’s often barely much less candy than pie crust, as nicely.

So when you have the time, I do recommending making your personal Do-it-yourself Empanada Dough! Or, test your native grocery retailer within the frozen meals part for empanada wrappers. Simply be sure that to thaw them earlier than you utilize them within the recipe!

Let’s Make Pineapple Empanadas!

Following this recipe isn’t tough, however there are fairly a number of steps. For that purpose, I undoubtedly suggest studying by way of the listing of steps a few occasions earlier than you get began. Completely happy baking!

Make the Caramel Sauce

1. Warmth the Sugar and Water. To start, mix the sugar and water in a heavy saucepan, and provides it a mild stir to mix. Then slowly warmth the combination over medium warmth. Don’t stir whereas it heats; if needed, you possibly can fastidiously swirl the saucepan each minute or two. To stop crystallization on the edges of the saucepan, use a silicone pastry brush to brush down the edges.
2. Permit the Sugar Combination to Simmer. Watch the sugar combination fastidiously because it begins to simmer, and permit it to simmer till it thickens and adjustments to a deep, amber shade. This may take between 8 and 12 minutes, however the sugar can go in a short time from “accomplished” to “burned,” so you’ll want to control it! Sometimes swirl the pot because the sugar simmers.
3. Whisk within the Butter. Subsequent, add the butter to the saucepan, however be very cautious. Including the butter will trigger the super-hot syrup to bubble and rise quickly within the saucepan. Simply preserve whisking till the bubbles subside. Then flip off the range, and transfer the saucepan off the warmth. 
4. Whisk within the Cream, Vanilla, and Salt. 
5. With the saucepan off the warmth, slowly add the heavy cream to the caramel, whisking the entire time. Comply with this with the vanilla, after which the salt. 
6. Cool. Permit the caramel sauce to chill for 10 – quarter-hour earlier than pouring it right into a glass jar, and permitting it to chill competely within the fridge earlier than utilizing. It will take about 45 to 60 minutes.

Make the Pineapple Filling

7. Prep the Oven and Cookie Sheet. Earlier than you get began on the filling, it’s a superb time to preheat the oven to 350°F, and put together a cookie sheet. I prefer to line mine with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, or you can calmly oil it with impartial, high-heat cooking oil. Then sprinkle 1.5 tablespoons of granulated sugar throughout the underside of the cookie sheet, and set it apart.
8. Caramelize the Pineapple. Now warmth a big skillet over medium warmth. Add the pineapple chunks and allow them to prepare dinner, stirring steadily, for a few minutes. It will assist the surplus liquid to prepare dinner out. Subsequent, add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir nicely to coat the pineapple completely. Permit the pineapple combination to return to a simmer, and proceed to prepare dinner for 3 – 5 minutes, or till the sugar is melted. Swirl the pan every now and then to forestall scorching. When the sugar is all melted, take the skillet off the warmth and permit the filling to chill for a couple of minutes. 

Make the Empanadas

9. Assemble the Empanadas. As soon as the caramel sauce is prepared and the pineapple filling is cool, it’s time to make the empanadas. Take out the empanada dough, and calmly roll the dough if wanted, in order that it turns into extra pliable. Place about 3 chunks of pineapple on every empanada, together with a small spoonful of the caramel sauce. Fold the dough over, and use a fork to press the sides of the dough fully closed (watch out to not by chance poke or tear a gap within the pocket of the empanada). 
10. Add Egg Wash and Sprinkle with Sugar. Place the empanadas on the ready cookie sheet as you go, and gently bend every one right into a crescent form. Then make the egg wash by cracking the egg right into a small bowl and whisking with somewhat water. Utilizing a silicone pastry brush, brush egg wash over every empanada, and sprinkle every one with a pinch of sugar.
11. Bake, Cool, and Serve. Bake the empanadas for 25 to half-hour, or till golden brown. Permit them to chill barely earlier than serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. 
12. Take pleasure in! These are superb served nonetheless heat with a hearty drizzle of caramel sauce. And in case you actually wish to go the additional mile, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Is It Higher to Fry or Bake Empanadas?

That is actually a matter of style! Frying and baking are each widespread methods to make empanadas, and every one will yield a tasty outcome when accomplished proper. I like the wealthy taste of deep-fried empanadas, however there’s little doubt that baked empanadas are simpler to make and nonetheless tremendous yummy to eat. In the event you’d favor to fry as a substitute of bake these, go for it!

Useful Ideas and Simple Recipe Variations

• Contemporary Fruit Possibility: In the event you would slightly use contemporary pineapple, that’s nice! Contemporary pineapple will certainly work on this simple recipe. You may also swap out the pineapple for any fruit you want as a substitute!
• Sugar Choices: For a extra strong, molasses-like taste, attempt utilizing darkish brown sugar as a substitute of the sunshine brown sugar.
• Make Extra: This recipe can simply be doubled in case you’d prefer to serve a crowd (or freeze some for later!).
• Retailer-Purchased Sauce: To avoid wasting time, you need to use store-bought caramel sauce as a substitute of creating your personal. Both manner, these simple treats are certain to please.
• Bigger Empanadas: If utilizing do-it-yourself empanada dough, you can also make them any measurement you want. Nevertheless in case you use store-bought dough, they make a number of totally different sizes. Goya has tapas-size empanada dough rounds and the bigger measurement. To make use of this recipe with bigger empanada dough, plan on making 5 or 6 empanadas as a substitute of 10.
• Don’t Burn the Filling: The pineapple sugar combination can simply burn, so you will need to prepare dinner on a reasonably low warmth and watch it fastidiously.
• Serve Heat: Whereas tasty at room temperature, this dessert is greatest when served heat from the oven, with just a bit time to chill off.
• Sundae Toppings: Each the caramel sauce and the pineapple filling usually are not solely superior in empanadas – they’re superb as ice cream sundae toppings!

Storing and Reheating

• To Retailer: These empanadas may be saved for as much as 1 week in an hermetic container or in a Ziploc bag within the fridge.
• To Reheat: Microwave the empanadas on 50% energy for about 45 seconds, or bake them once more at 350°F till warmed by way of. You may also reheat them in an air fryer, it will actually assist them get crispy once more.

Can I Freeze Pineapple Empanadas?

Certain! Pineapple empanadas freeze nicely baked, and likewise unbaked. Both manner, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and stick them within the freezer till they’re frozen stable. Then gently pack into freezer luggage or containers and freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw frozen empanadas within the fridge earlier than baking or reheating.

Yield: 10 Empanadas

Pineapple Empanadas

These simple Pineapple Empanadas (empanadas de piña) are made with caramelized pineapple chunks, actual caramel sauce, and basic empanada dough. An ideal handheld dessert with brilliant, luscious taste!

Prep Time
25 minutes

Cook dinner Time
45 minutes

Further Time
1 hour

Complete Time
2 hours 10 minutes

Substances

Do-it-yourself Caramel Sauce

Caramelized Pineapples

Pineapple Empanadas

Directions

Make the Caramel Sauce

1. In a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, mix the granulated sugar and water. Gently stir. Warmth over medium warmth. Permit the sugar combination to return to a simmer. DO NOT STIR the combination, however gently swirl the pot each minute or two. Utilizing a silicone brush, brush down the edges of the pot to assist stop crystallization.
2. Proceed to permit sugar combination to simmer and sometimes swirl pot till the combination thickens and turns a deep amber shade – usually this could take between 8 and 12 minutes. Combination will should be watched to forestall burning.
3. Then, add the butter and whisk combination till fully melted. Warning: the caramel sauce will bubble up and rise quickly whenever you add the butter. Proceed to whisk and it’ll subside. Subsequent, flip off the range and take the pot off of the warmth.
4. Whereas whisking, slowly add the heavy cream and blend till absolutely integrated. Add vanilla extract and salt, and whisk collectively. Set the pot apart and permit the combination to chill for 10 – quarter-hour. Switch the caramel to a glass jar and permit to chill fully within the fridge, for about 45 to 60 minutes, earlier than utilizing.

Make The Pineapple Filling

1. Warmth a big pan over medium warmth. Pour within the pineapple chunks and prepare dinner, stirring, for 1 – 2 minutes or till the liquid is cooked off. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir the combination collectively, coating the pineapple completely. Permit the pineapple combination to return to a simmer. Proceed to prepare dinner over medium warmth for 3 – 5 minutes, or till the sugar is melted, swirling the pan to forestall burning. As soon as the sugar has melted, take away from the warmth and permit to chill for a number of minutes.

Make the Empanadas

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Put together a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Sprinkle 1.5 tablespoons of granulated sugar throughout the underside of the cookie sheet and put aside.
2. As soon as the pineapple combination is cool, put together the empanadas. Take away the do-it-yourself caramel sauce from the fridge, together with the empanada dough. Use a rolling pin to calmly roll the dough if wanted, in order that it turns into extra pliable. Add roughly 3 chunks of pineapple and a small spoonful of the caramel sauce to the middle of the dough. Fold the dough over, and utilizing a fork, tightly pinch the dough closed (watch out to not by chance poke or tear a gap within the pocket of the empanada). Place every empanada on the ready cookie sheet as you go, and gently bend every one right into a crescent form.
3. Repeat till the entire empanadas have been assembled and positioned on the baking sheet.
4. Crack the egg right into a small bowl and add water. Whisk collectively. Utilizing a silicone pastry brush, brush egg wash over every empanada, and sprinkle every one with a pinch of sugar.
5. Bake for 25 to half-hour, or till golden brown. Take away from the oven, and permit to chill for a number of minutes earlier than serving. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of extra caramel sauce. 

Notes

• **You may also use retailer purchased empanada dough to avoid wasting on time. Goya makes two totally different sized empanada doughs, a tapa measurement (about 5 inches in diameter) and a bigger measurement. To make use of the identical recipe with bigger measurement empanadas, plan to make 5 – 6 empanadas as a substitute of 10. In addition they will want a couple of minutes longer within the oven to bake fully.
• Contemporary pineapple can be utilized as a substitute of canned.
• This recipe can simply be doubled, if desired.
• Retailer-bought caramel sauce may be substituted for the do-it-yourself caramel sauce to avoid wasting on time.
• The pineapple sugar combination can simply burn, so you will need to prepare dinner on a reasonably low warmth and watch it fastidiously.Caramelized pineapple additionally makes a terrific ice cream sundae topping.

Diet Data:

Yield:

10

Serving Measurement:

1

Quantity Per Serving:
Energy: 322Complete Fats: 13gSaturated Fats: 6gTrans Fats: 0gUnsaturated Fats: 6gLdl cholesterol: 34mgSodium: 144mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 1gSugar: 35gProtein: 2g

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