PAT'S PUMPKIN EMPANADAS (TURNOVERS)

Yields 15

Had a blast today getting together with my cousins so that Pat could share her pumpkin empanada recipe with us. Now I am not a huge fan of the Mexican empanadas (turnovers) you get and Panderias because the crust is always so thick and often dry. Not this one! Pat makes a seasoned dough that is soft and light. It really tastes good the filling reminds me of pumpkin pie. This recipe gave me new feelings for these tasty little pastries. However, I really need to practice my crimping skills - mine oozed the gooeyness from the seams. It's okay they tasted great!  Here is how to make them.

The recipe card Pat shared before class

The Dough: combine flour, baking powder, salt, 
brown sugar, cinnamon, oil and hot water

Cut 15 rounds, fill and crimp

Place on prepared cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes

Brush with evaporated milk and bake 10 more minutes

Let them cool down if you can and then enjoy

 

INGREDIENTS:

PASTRY

3 cups flour

1 tablespoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

2 tablespoons oil

• 1 cups + 1 tablespoons very warm water
• In a large bowl add flour, baking powder, salt, brown sugar, cinnamon and whisk together.
• Add oil and hot water to dry ingredients, mix until combined.

 

FILLING

2 cups pumpkin puree

1/3 cup evaporated milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

1 cup dark brown sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar

• In a large mixing bowl combine all items and mix thoroughly.

 

PREPARATION:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Roll dough out (about ¼” thick).
• Use large round 6” cutter to make 15 rounds.
• Fill each round with 1 ½ tablespoons of pumpkin filling. Place filling a little off center, fold and crimp.  
• Place on silpat or parchment papered cookie sheet.
• Poke 3 sets of holes using fork tines.
• Bake 15 minutes.
• Brush with evaporated milk.
• Bake and additional 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Our family zoom picture and all the wonderful results: