Fresh Fruit and Chocolate Empanadas

Ingredients:

1 cup of shortening

6 oz cold light beer

3 cups of all purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1 tsp. salt

1 to 2 cups of fresh fruit, chopped (mango, strawberries or pineapple)

1 cup of dark chocolate chips

1 small can Dulce de Leche Caramel sauce

6 tablespoons of raw sugar

Egg wash (1 egg w/ 1 tablespoon of water, whisked)

Directions: 

Melt the shortening in microwave safe bowl until it becomes liquid, about 45 seconds. Pour the cold beer and salt into the melted shortening and stir gently. Gradually add in the flour, stirring with a wooden spoon. You want to start kneading the dough and add enough flour so dough is no longer sticky. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for a good hour.

While the dough is chilling, combine chopped fruit with two tablespoons of raw sugar, stir well to combine and set aside. I recommend transferring the dulce de leche caramel to a heavy storage bag or pastry bag, snip the corner of the bag, set aside until ready to use.

Preheat the oven to 395 degrees, line cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray pans directly with Pam. When dough is ready, divide dough into 18 to 20 (1 1/2 inch balls). On a flat floured surface, roll out the dough balls one at a time to about 4 inches, adding flour as needed. Fill one half w/ 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon of caramel sauce and about 1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh fruit. Leave a little space on the edge of the dough, fold over and pinch the edges together to seal. Transfer to cookie sheets.

Brush with egg wash and sprinkle w/ remaining raw sugar. Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let the empanadas cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Empanadas can be frozen if you are not going eat within the next two days.

Fill with your favorite sweet or savory filling! That is what is so great about this recipe.Dark chocolate chips, dulce de leche and fresh strawberries...

Other recipes by Sonia:
Beef Chili
Buñuelos
Cheesy Chorizo Bread
Pork Chile Colorado
Polvorones (Mexican Shortbread Cookies)
Shrimp-Stuffed Little Chiles
Pork Chile Verde
Lemon Pepper Chicken Fajitas
Simply Seasoned Shrimp
Chicken Chilaquiles

Searching for more good eats?