Soft Empanadas de Calabaza - Mexican Panderia Style Empanadas

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil adds a unique flavor and is dairy-free.

pumpkin puree

🥗Healthier: butternut squash puree

💰Cheaper: canned pumpkin

Canned pumpkin is often less expensive and readily available.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Brown sugar provides a similar sweetness with a hint of molasses.

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: bread flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients.

Roast 2 pumpkins at 375°F for 60 to 75 minutes.

Once roasted, scrape out the seeds and mash about 1.5 cups of the pumpkin.

Sweeten the mashed pumpkin with 1/3 cup of ponio, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of ground anise, and a pinch of kosher salt; mix well and set aside.

In a bowl, mix 1/4 cup of warm water with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar until dissolved.

Add 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast to the water mixture and let it bloom for 10 minutes.

In another bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of ground anise, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground clove; mix well.

Add 1/3 cup of white granulated sugar and 1/3 cup of room temperature butter to the flour mixture; work the butter in with a fork.

Add the bloomed yeast mixture to the flour and mix.

Add 1/3 cup of room temperature milk and 1 large room temperature egg to the mixture, along with 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt; mix until combined.

Knead the dough for 10 minutes on a floured surface, ensuring it remains tacky and not adding extra flour.

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a thin round disc.

Add 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the pumpkin filling to the center of each disc.

Fold the dough over the filling and twist the edges to seal.

Brush the tops of the empanadas with melted butter, egg wash, or milk for browning if desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens