Apple Empanadas

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shortening
• 6 -7 tablespoons water
• 1 egg, beaten (to be used later)
• 2 large apples, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 cup raisins (these are optional)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Recipe

• 1 pastry:.
• 2 in a medium bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. stir in water until completely moistened. divide pastry into 2 equal portions. roll out each portion thinner than you would for pie crust. cut into circles with a 3-1/2" biscuit or cookie cutter.
• 3 apple filling:.
• 4 in a medium saucepan, simmer diced apples, cider, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg over low heat until apples are soft. in a small bowl, mix cornstarch with enough water to form a thin consistency; stir into apple mixture and cook until mixture thickens.
• 5 assembly and cooking:.
• 6 brush pastry circles with beaten egg. place a small spoonful of apple mixture in center of each circle. fold pastry over filling to form a half circle. press edges together with a fork to seal.
• 7 heat 1 cup of cooking oil to 400 degrees in an electric skillet. place several empanadas in hot oil at a time, cooking on one side, and turning over when golden brown. cook second side until golden brown. remove and drain on paper towels.
• 8 sprinkle tops of empanadas with cinnamon and sugar mixture.