Caramel Apple Empanadas Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Empanadas recipe with a sweet cheesecake filling. Baked, not fried, and ready in no time! These apple hand pies will be devoured quickly!

Love caramel and apples? Readers love our caramel apple cupcakes! Or you’ll have to try our caramel apple cheesecake bars.

What is the difference between a Hand Pie and Empanada?

Nothing is more comforting than a classic apple pie. There’s a reason it’s America’s favorite food!

Today’s Caramel Apple Empanadas recipe is my EASY take on a classic pie recipe.

From start to finish, you can make these in under an hour with just a handful of ingredients. I’ve got some shortcuts that may make your grandma cringe, but busy moms rejoice!

First though, there are lots of questions regarding empanadas.

Traditionally, an empanada dough is less flaky than a hand pie. In terms of desserts, hand pies are usually made with a pie crust dough, which is flaky!

But, for sake of this dessert today, you can call them Hand pies, Empanadas, or even turnovers (which are usually made with puff pastry dough).

How to Make Empanadas

PRO TIP: Using egg white (or even a few drops of water) on the edge of the pie crust help it stick better when you pinch it closed.

Tips and Tricks

• Change up the filling by swapping out flavors. Peach Hand Pies are amazing!!
• Use a silpat baking mat or parchment paper on your baking sheet to prevent sticking.
• Don’t be alarmed if some of your empanadas break open. Allow them to cool before glazing.
• Want to make homemade apple pie filling? Check out these delicious Apple Hand Pies.
• Skip the homemade glaze and opt for just a drizzle of caramel sauce instead!

Can you Freeze Dessert Empanadas?

Yes! You can freeze these after baking with or without the glaze.

Just note, if you freeze WITH the glaze, it may get a little soft and runny when defrosting.

To freeze, slide empanadas into a freezer safe airtight container or ziploc freezer bag for up to 3 months.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

• Chocolate Eclair Cake
• Apple Pie Bread
• Apple Crumble
• Rice Crispy Treats
• Lemon Hand Pies
• Mini Pecan Pies
• More Pies and Tarts

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Caramel Apple Empanadas

4.84 from 12 votes

By: Aimee

Easy Caramel Apple Empanadas recipe with a sweet cheesecake filling. Baked, not fried, and ready in no time!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 24

Ingredients 

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For the empanadas

• ▢ 2 boxes refrigerated pie crust 14.1 ounce each
• ▢ 1 can apple pie filling 20 ounce
• ▢ 1 package cream cheese, softened 8 ounce
• ▢ ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 large egg separated

For the glaze

• ▢ 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• ▢ ¼ cup caramel ice cream topping
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons milk

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Remove pie crusts from their packaging and allow to come to room temperature.
• In two small bowls, separate egg white from egg yolk. KEEP BOTH. Whisk each one separately. Set aside.
• Dump apple pie filling into a small bowl. Chop up apple slices into small bits. Set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
• Unroll pie crusts and cut circles using a 4-inch circle biscuit cutter. Re-roll the scraps once to get more circles.
• Using a 1 Tbsp scoop, spoon half a scoop of apple pie filling and half a scoop of cheesecake filling into the center of each pie crust circle. Brush the edges of the circle with the whisked egg white.
• Fold each empanada in half and pinch the edges close (either by folding or pressing with a fork). Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat for remaining apple hand pies.
• Prick each empanada with a fork before baking. Brush tops of empanadas with whisked egg yolk, in a thin, even coating. 
• Bake apple empanadas for about 15 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and cool on wire rack.
• Make the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar with caramel ice cream topping and milk. Add more or less milk to desired consistency. For a thicker glaze (like I used), I did 2 Tbsp milk. Add up to 4 Tbsp for a thinner glaze.
• Dip cooled empanadas into the caramel glaze and return to parchment paper lined baking sheet to set.

Notes

• Change up the filling by swapping out flavors. Peach Hand Piesare amazing!!
• Use a silpat baking mat or parchment paper on your baking sheet to prevent sticking.
• Don’t be alarmed if some of your empanadas break open. Allow them to cool before glazing.
• Want to make homemade apple pie filling? Check out these delicious Apple Hand Pies.
• Skip the homemade glaze and opt for just a drizzle of caramel sauce instead!

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 94mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 20g

Course: Pies and Tarts

Cuisine: Mexican

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Easy Caramel Apple Empanadas are baked hand pies with a sweet apple pie and cheesecake filling topped with caramel glaze!