Introducing these delightful Cookie Empanadas: a testament to simple elegance and irresistible flavor. These pastries are light, exquisitely flaky, and utterly captivating, making them the perfect centerpiece for your holiday cookie trays or a charming treat any time of year. Each one is a small masterpiece, easy to prepare, and crowned with a delicate, sweet almond glaze that elevates them to pure perfection.
This post is proudly sponsored by Friendship Dairies cottage cheese.
Sweet Cookie Empanadas: A Holiday Must-Make
Cookies hold a special place in our hearts and on our tables, especially as the holidays approach. They are the ultimate comfort food, a symbol of warmth, sharing, and celebration. From classic chocolate chip to intricate frosted designs, cookies come in countless forms and flavors, each promising a moment of pure bliss. Among this beloved assortment, a new favorite has emerged in our kitchen that we are thrilled to share with you: our exceptional Cookie Empanadas.
These aren’t just any cookies; they are a revelation, promising to impress with their exquisite taste and a surprising ingredient list that will leave you both curious and eager to bake. They’ve quickly earned a coveted spot on our Christmas “must-make” list – and coming from a family that constantly bakes and tastes cookies in the name of “recipe testing” (all for your benefit, of course!), that’s high praise indeed. The sheer volume of cookies we sample means only the truly outstanding make the cut, and these Cookie Empanadas certainly do.
What Exactly is a Cookie Empanada?
The term “empanada” might initially raise an eyebrow for some, as it’s traditionally associated with savory fillings – think spiced meats, cheeses, or vegetables encased in a dough pocket. Indeed, my Peruvian mother-in-law creates the most incredible savory empanadas with sausage and peas, a dish so delicious I could effortlessly devour a dozen in one sitting! However, when my husband first saw these miniature, jam-filled pastries, his immediate reaction was, “They’re little empanadas!” And so, the name stuck.
While borrowing the name from a savory classic, our Cookie Empanadas embody a sweet departure, transforming the concept into a delicate dessert. The name, however, will be the last thing on your mind once you experience the tender, flaky crust and burst of sweet fruit filling within. These sweet empanadas are proof that culinary inspiration knows no bounds, and a familiar form can be beautifully reimagined for a new, delightful purpose.
Effortless Dough Preparation for Flaky Perfection
One of the many charms of these Cookie Empanadas is the sheer simplicity of their dough. Prepared swiftly in a food processor, it’s a matter of mere pulses until the ingredients combine into a perfect, cohesive ball. This hands-off approach makes baking these delicious treats accessible even on busy days. After its brief assembly, the dough requires about an hour of chilling. This crucial step allows the butter to firm up, preventing the dough from becoming sticky and ensuring the ultimate flaky texture once baked. It’s also the perfect interval for you to ponder and select the delightful flavors for your fillings.
Endless Possibilities: Your Guide to Delicious Fillings
The beauty of these Cookie Empanadas lies in their versatility when it comes to fillings. While the dough provides a neutral, buttery canvas, the choice of what goes inside allows for endless customization to suit any preference or occasion. For my batch, I opted for a delightful medley of apricot preserves, sweet cherry preserves, and vibrant raspberry jam. A brilliant suggestion from my sister, Ashley, led to the inclusion of tangy lemon curd, which added a wonderful brightness to the assortment. This variety ensures there’s a favorite flavor for everyone on your cookie tray!
Don’t feel limited to my choices; the world of sweet fillings is your oyster. Consider:
- Classic Fruit Jams & Preserves: Strawberry, blueberry, peach, fig, or mixed berry jams offer timeless appeal.
- Nut Butters: A small dollop of peanut butter or almond butter could add a rich, nutty dimension.
- Chocolate: Mini chocolate chips, a sliver of chocolate bar, or a spoonful of Nutella would create a decadent surprise.
- Cream Cheese Fillings: A sweetened cream cheese mixture, perhaps flavored with a hint of vanilla or citrus, could mimic a cheesecake filling.
- Nutty Pastes: Poppy seed filling or even a finely ground nut paste could offer a unique texture and flavor.
- Caramel or Dulce de Leche: For an indulgent, gooey center.
Whether you choose a single, beloved flavor like a classic strawberry jam for all your empanadas or create an exciting mix, there’s truly no wrong way to approach the filling. Embrace your creativity and let your taste buds be your guide!
Crafting Your Empanadas: Tips for Filling and Sealing
A crucial tip for perfectly proportioned Cookie Empanadas is to manage your filling amount. While it might be tempting to overfill these little pockets of joy, a conservative approach works best. You’ll only need about a quarter teaspoon of preserves or jam for each cookie – perhaps up to half a teaspoon if you’re feeling particularly generous and confident in your sealing skills! Overfilling can lead to messy leaks during baking, detracting from their beautiful presentation.
Once your dough has chilled and is ready to be transformed, roll it out evenly to an approximate 1/8-inch thickness on a generously floured surface. Use a round cookie cutter, about 3 inches in diameter, to create your uniform dough circles. Place your measured filling in the center of each circle. To seal them, gently moisten the edges of the dough with a tiny bit of water – this acts as a natural glue. Fold the circle in half, creating a crescent shape, and then use the tines of a fork to firmly crimp and seal the edges. I find that flipping the empanada over and sealing the other side adds an extra layer of security, ensuring a beautifully sealed pastry every time. This simple technique not only prevents the filling from escaping but also creates an appealing, decorative border.
The Secret to Superior Dough: Cottage Cheese
The foundation of any great cookie is its dough, and our Cookie Empanadas boast a truly exceptional one. As previously mentioned, the dough comes together effortlessly in a food processor, making it a quick and convenient option for bakers of all skill levels. The ingredient list includes several familiar staples you’d expect to find in a classic cookie recipe:
- All-purpose flour
- Cold, cubed butter
- Granulated sugar (just 1/3 cup for a subtly sweet dough)
- A pinch of salt
- Pure vanilla extract
But then, there’s a surprising star that makes an unexpected, yet transformative, appearance: cottage cheese. This humble dairy product is the secret to the incredibly light, tender, and distinctly flaky texture that sets these cookies apart. It contributes a subtle richness and a unique moisture content that results in a pastry that practically melts in your mouth.
Why Cottage Cheese? The Unexpected Baking Powerhouse
Yes, you read that correctly – cottage cheese! While typically enjoyed as a savory snack or a high-protein addition to meals, cottage cheese is an underappreciated hero in the world of baking. I’m personally a huge advocate, enjoying it almost daily and incorporating it into various recipes, from my Easy Lazy Day Lasagna to refreshing desserts like this Tropical Orange Jello Salad and my Dad’s all-time favorite Lemon Lime Jello Salad. Its versatility extends far beyond what most people realize, and its role in these cookies is nothing short of brilliant.
For this recipe, I specifically chose Friendship Dairies Cottage Cheese. The quality of their cottage cheese is truly exceptional, and its consistent texture and fresh flavor are paramount to the success of this dough. It’s not just my opinion – Friendship Dairies was recently voted #1 in a cottage cheese taste test by Epicurious, a testament to their superior product. I used their small curd, 4% milkfat, California Style cottage cheese, which provides the perfect balance of creaminess and structure for baking.
The genesis of this recipe actually stems from an existing cookie recipe of mine that uses ricotta cheese. However, through experimentation, I was delighted to discover that I actually prefer the results when made with cottage cheese. While many bakers are comfortable with other dairy products like cream cheese, butter, Greek yogurt, or sour cream in their recipes, cottage cheese has, for too long, remained a sideline player in the baking arena. It’s time for that to change!
Cottage cheese brings unique properties to the dough: its moisture content ensures a tender crumb, while the subtle tang perfectly complements the sweetness of the filling and glaze. Furthermore, its curds contribute to the dough’s structure, resulting in an exceptionally flaky texture reminiscent of puff pastry. Beyond texture and flavor, consider the added bonus: you’re incorporating a dose of protein into your cookies, making them a slightly more wholesome treat. Once you experience the incredible results in these Cookie Empanadas, you’ll undoubtedly be convinced that cottage cheese deserves a permanent spot in your baking repertoire.
The Perfect Finish: Almond Glaze and Toppings
To crown these exquisite Cookie Empanadas, a simple yet elegant almond glaze is the ideal choice. This sweet, delicate topping adds another layer of flavor that beautifully complements the fruit fillings. Made with powdered sugar, a hint of almond extract, and just enough milk to achieve a pourable consistency, it drizzles beautifully over the cooled cookies, setting into a soft, inviting finish.
For an extra touch of sophistication and texture, consider sprinkling some finely sliced almonds over the wet glaze. This would be particularly divine with a raspberry or cherry filling, adding a delightful crunch and enhancing the nutty notes. Other topping ideas could include a light dusting of powdered sugar for a classic look, a sprinkle of finely chopped pistachios for color and crunch, or even a tiny curl of white chocolate for added decadence. These final touches not only elevate the visual appeal of your Cookie Empanadas but also allow for further personalization.
We sincerely hope that these incredible Cookie Empanadas become a cherished part of your holiday baking traditions this season. Their unique blend of flaky texture, delightful fillings, and surprising secret ingredient is sure to bring joy to everyone who tastes them. And remember, when you’re stocking up for your next baking adventure, don’t forget to grab some quality Friendship Dairies cottage cheese – it’s the secret weapon for these irresistible treats!
More Cookie Recipes to Inspire Your Baking
If you’re as passionate about cookies as we are, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic recipes:
- Berries & Cream Cookies: A soft, fruit-filled delight perfect for summer or spring.
- Chocolate Chip Turtle Pudding Cookies: Chewy, rich cookies packed with chocolate, caramel, and pecans.
- Butterscotch Shortbread Cookies: A simple yet elegant cookie with a sweet, buttery flavor and delicate crunch.
- Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies: A comforting combination of classic flavors in a chewy cookie.
- Flourless Toffee Peanut Butter Cookies: A gluten-free friendly option that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture, with a delicious toffee crunch.
How To Make Cookie Empanadas
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Cookie Empanadas
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour sifted
- 1 cup butter cold and cubed
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cottage cheese
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup jam or preserves – any flavor
Almond Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 2 to 3 tbsp milk as needed
Instructions
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Combine flour and butter in a large food processor and pulse until combined and only small, pea-sized pieces of butter remain.
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Add sugar, salt, cottage cheese, and vanilla extract. Pulse until combined and the dough forms a ball.
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Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour.
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
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Place dough on a generously floured surface and sprinkle additional flour on top of the dough.
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Roll out to 1/8 inch thickness and cut into 3-inch circles using a cookie cutter.
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Place a small amount of preserves or jam in the center of each circle, about 1/4 teaspoon.
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Moisten the edges of the circle with water and fold in half. Use the tines of a fork to seal the empanadas. I like to flip the empanada over and seal on both sides for extra security.
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Place the empanadas on the prepared baking sheet and prick the tops with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes or until just lightly browned. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
Almond Glaze
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In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract, and just enough milk (start with 2 tbsp and add more a tiny bit at a time) to make the glaze the preferred consistency for drizzling. It should be thick enough to cling but thin enough to flow smoothly.
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Drizzle glaze generously over the cooled cookies and allow it to set before serving or storing.
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Store the finished Cookie Empanadas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
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