Valencia Flour Mill Cherry Empanadas

How To Make New Mexican Cherry Empanadas

An empanada is a stuffed bread or pastry dessert and originates from the countries of Latin America and the south of Europe. The name comes from the verb empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Also called hand pies, empanadas are made by folding a dough or bread patty around the 'stuffing'. The stuffing can consist of a variety of meats, vegetables, or even fruits.

In this cherry empanada recipe we feature products from New Mexico Flour Mill – where they use unbleached pastry flour is used as the base to craft their famous Sopaipilla Mix. Their line of “just-add-water” mixes get their flavor from New Mexican wheat that is craft milled by Jose Cordova, a third-generation family miller. The products have in-build health benefits because they selected a Zero Trans Fat sunflower oil, which leaves the fried sopaipillas non-greasy to the touch. No sugar is added because baking powder is the leavening agent, instead of yeast. Preparation is easy and time-saving, making their mixes perfect for everyday use. Their mixes can be used to make much more than just sopaipillas and empanadas. Customers use it to make tortillas, stuffed sopaipillas, fry bread, empanadas, churros, and more!

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 12 Empanadas

Equipment

• Empanada or Calzone Mold
• Frying Pan

Ingredients

  

• 2 Cups Valencia Flour Mill Sopaipilla Mix
• 1 Can Cherry Pie Filling
• 1 Quart Vegetable Oil
• .5 Cup Powdered Sugar (optional)
• .5 Cup Chocolate Syrup (optional)

Instructions

 

• Measure 2 cups of Valencia Flour Mill Sopaipilla Mix and pour into a medium mixing mixing bowl
• Follow the 'just-add-water" directions on the back of the Sopaipilla Mix bag to make the sopaipilla dough
• Cover the dough and let it set for 30 minutes
• After 30 minutes roll out the dough and and use an empanada or calzone mold to cut 3 to 4 inch circles
• Fill one side of the dough circle with 2 Tablespoons of canned cherry pie filling
• Quickly fold 1/2 of the circle over the filled portion.
• Crimp the edges like around a regular pie to seal the filling inside the empanada.
• Fry in at least 370 degrees F vegetable oil for about 1 minute. Flip the empanada over from side to side to brown evenly.
• Set empanadas on paper towels to drain
• (optional) sprinkle with powdered sugar, drizzle with chocolate syrup, or add your own toppings.
• Serve and enjoy your delicious and sweet cherry empanadas!

Keyword Cherry Empanada, Empanada, New Mexican Dessert

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About Valencia Flour Mill

The Valencia Flour Mill has a 106-year heritage in its original milling site at 74 Mill Rd., Jarales, NM, in the heart of the Middle Rio Grande Valley. Mill owners, Jose & Kathy Cordova purchase only local New Mexican grains.

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