Description

Cranberry Apple Empanadas – cranberry and apple pie filling wrapped in flaky buttery crust. These sweet little pastries are perfect if you’ve just gone apple picking! Take your fresh apples and tart cranberries, and you’ll have the makings of a Thanksgiving dessert!

Ingredients

For the Crust :

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter cut into cubes-chilled
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/4 –1/2cup ice water

For Apple Cranberry Filling :

2 apples-peeled and chopped into really small chunks
1 cup cranberries (I used frozen)
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoon corn starch

For Topping:

1 egg lightly beaten
1/4 cup sugar

Instructions

To make the crust in a large mixing bowl place flour, salt and sugar and mix to combine.
Using a pastry blender incorporate chilled butter cubes into the flour mixture(the mixture should resemble coarse meal)
Drizzle 2 tablespoons ice water over the mixture and blend, repeat with another 2 tablespoons water. When you squeeze the dough it should holds together (you may have to add more water if the dough crumbles, add 1 tablespoon at a time)
Flatten the dough into disc, pack with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.
To make the filling in a saucepan combine cranberries , sugar and corn strach, stir well and bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Cook a few minutes until start thickening. Stir in chopped apples and cook for 2-3 more minutes, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Lightly dust working surface with flour, place chilled dough, dust the dough and the rolling pin, too. Turn the dough as you rolling to prevent it from sticking. Roll it out 1/8-inch thick.
Cut into discs ( I used 4 inch cutter )
Place 11/2-2 tablespoon filling on the center of each empanada disc. Fold the empanada discs and press the edges together using your fingers or a fork. Transfer empanadas to prepared baking sheet. There should be enough dough for 14 empanadas.
Refrigerate the empanadas until ready to bake.
Preheat the oven to 375 F.
Brush each empanada with egg wash and sprinkle them generously with sugar.
Bake the empanadas for approximately 20 minutes or until golden on top.