Baked Guava-Cheese Empanadas

Baked Guava-Cheese Empanadas
Active Time25 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Servings20

Ingredients

  • 20 (5-inch) frozen empanada discs
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • Parchment paper
  • 1 lemon, for zest/juice
  • 8 oz guava paste
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ cup powdered sugar, for dusting

Steps

  1. Thaw empanada discs. Set cream cheese out to soften. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Zest lemon (1 teaspoon), then juice (2 tablespoons).
  2. Place guava paste in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1–2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Place cream cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice in large bowl. Beat with electric mixer until blended and smooth.
  3. Arrange empanada discs on work surface. Spoon cream cheese mixture onto discs (about 2 teaspoons each), then spoon guava paste over cream cheese mixture (about 2 teaspoons each).
  4. Beat egg and water together; brush edges of discs with mixture. Fold dough in half over filling, pinching edges to seal.
  5. Arrange empanadas on baking sheets; brush tops with remaining egg mixture. Bake 16–18 minutes until golden. Let stand to cool on baking sheets 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Serve warm.

Ingredients

  • 20 (5-inch) frozen empanada discs
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • Parchment paper
  • 1 lemon, for zest/juice
  • 8 oz guava paste
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ cup powdered sugar, for dusting

Steps

  1. Thaw empanada discs. Set cream cheese out to soften. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Zest lemon (1 teaspoon), then juice (2 tablespoons).
  2. Place guava paste in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1–2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Place cream cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice in large bowl. Beat with electric mixer until blended and smooth.
  3. Arrange empanada discs on work surface. Spoon cream cheese mixture onto discs (about 2 teaspoons each), then spoon guava paste over cream cheese mixture (about 2 teaspoons each).
  4. Beat egg and water together; brush edges of discs with mixture. Fold dough in half over filling, pinching edges to seal.
  5. Arrange empanadas on baking sheets; brush tops with remaining egg mixture. Bake 16–18 minutes until golden. Let stand to cool on baking sheets 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Serve warm.

Chef's Tip: Want to fry? Preheat vegetable oil in Dutch oven to 325°F. Prepare empanadas though Step 4 (do not brush outsides with egg). Fry (in batches) 2–3 minutes on each side until golden. Remove from oil carefully; cool on wire rack–lined baking sheet 10 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar.

Nutritional information

Amount per 1/20 recipe serving: Calories 220, Total Fat 8g, Sat Fat 4.5g, Trans Fat 0g, Chol 20mg, Sodium 210mg, Carb 34g, Fiber 1g, Total Sugars 11g (Incl. 11g Added Sugars), Protein 5g, Vit D 0%, Calc 2%, Iron 6%, Potas 0%