Best Easy Empanadas de Manjar Recipe

Sweet empanadas filled with creamy manjar blanco are a delicate Mexican pastry. This family-friendly treat is a flaky, sweet, indulgent confection perfect for dessert.

Cook 60 min Difficulty NORMAL 260 kcal
#dessert #Mexican #manjar blanco #flaky pastry
Image coming soon
Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • All-purpose flour 2 cups
  • Unsalted butter 6 tbsp
  • Cream cheese 4 oz
  • Manjar blanco (dulce de leche) 1 cup
  • Large egg 1 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
  • Granulated sugar 2 tbsp
  • Vanilla extract 1 tsp
  • Salt 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 34 g 52%
Protein 4 g 6%
Fat 12 g 42%
Serving size 70g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in cold unsalted butter and cream cheese using a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

  2. 2

    Add the egg and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until a smooth dough forms, handling as little as possible to keep the pastry tender.

  3. 3

    Wrap the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax and butter to chill.

  4. 4

    Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut into 4-inch circles using a cookie cutter or glass.

  5. 5

    Place a heaping tablespoon of manjar blanco in the center of each dough circle. Moisten the edges with a little water, fold over, and seal the edges with a fork to prevent filling leaks.

  6. 6

    Arrange empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with beaten egg for shine.

  7. 7

    Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until the empanadas are deeply golden and the pastry is crisp. Cool slightly before serving.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The core ingredient is manjar blanco (dulce de leche), which delivers the signature creamy, caramel-like filling that defines Empanadas de Manjar. Its sweet, rich flavor is complemented by the flaky pastry shell.
Q. How do I ensure the empanada pastry stays flaky?
Make sure the butter and cream cheese are cold before mixing into the flour, and avoid overworking the dough. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes also helps keep the pastry tender and flaky.
Q. What’s the best way to avoid the filling leaking out during baking?
Seal the edges well by moistening them and pressing firmly with a fork. Be careful not to overfill each empanada—about a heaping tablespoon of manjar blanco is just right for each 4-inch circle.
Q. How many calories and carbs are in one serving?
Each serving (70g) contains approximately 260 kcal and 34g of carbohydrates, making it a sweet treat to enjoy in moderation.
Q. What's the protein-to-carb ratio in Empanadas de Manjar?
There are 4g of protein and 34g of carbohydrates per serving, so the protein-to-carb ratio is around 1:8.5. This treat is more focused on sweet carbs than protein.
AI 채팅 아이콘