Jam Filled Empanadas & My First Giveaway!

Last week, I came across this delightful recipe for jam filled empanadas. They turned out so good! The dough is made with butter and cream cheese and can be kept up to 7 days in the fridge before using.

I decided to lighten up the dough by using margarine in place of butter and low fat cream cheese in place of regular. However, the dough was sticky and I kneaded in an additional 1/2 cup of flour until it wasn't sticky anymore. But next time I will make them with butter, though. :-)

My little guys loved these little jems! You can use your own choice of fillings ... I used raspberry jam and the homemade strawberry jam that I made a few weeks ago. They are just so pretty to look at when you bite into them. Some other popular fillings for this recipe are apple butter and nutella (check out some of the reviews for ideas). 

This is a great empanada recipe for beginners (I had never made them before). Very simple to make with few ingredients. You might want to make a double batch because they won't last long. :-)

Jam Filled Empanadas

(adapted from allrecipes.com)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 (3 oz) pkg cream cheese

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1 cup fruit preserves

1/3 cup white sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1. DAY BEFORE: Cream butter and cream cheese together until smoothly blended. Beat in the flour. Shape dough into a smooth ball, wrap in foil or cling wrap, and refrigerate overnight or up to a week.


2. AT BAKING TIME: Remove dough from refrigerator 30 minutes before using. Start heating oven to 375 deg F (190 deg C).

3. Roll chilled dough thin. Cut with 3 or 4 inch round cookie cutter. Place small spoonful of jam in center of each round, moisten edges with water.


NOTE: Don't overfill with jam or they won't seal properly and will leak out during baking.

4. Fold round over and press edges together. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet 15 to 20 minutes. Immediately roll in sugar mixed with cinnamon (traditional) or in confectioners' sugar if preferred.

NOTE: I found it better to roll them in the sugar mixture BEFORE baking. The dough was coated with more sugar and they baked up nice and crunchy.

I'm submitting this recipe to MKMW. We visited Mexico for the month of May. Make sure to pop over and see what others have cooked up.

Enjoy!

____________________________________________________________________________

My First Giveaway!

A few weeks ago I was asked to either do a review or a giveaway for CSN stores. After browsing a few of their online stores, I was so tempted to order myself a kitchen gadget and do a review, but then I decided to do the give away for my readers instead (I later found out that this giveaway is only for US and Canadian residents so I don't think I would have been able to order something for myself).


All you have to do is become a follower on this blog and leave a comment on this post saying that you've done so. Even if you are already a follower, just leave a comment and your name will go into the draw as well. I'll use www.random.org to pick the winning number and the winner will receive a $40 gift certificate from CSNstores to use in ANY of their 200+ online stores. Here are some of the ones I checked out (and liked):

From classic to chic, you'll find something to suit your style. Check out their online store for lighting.

Find something unique for your home over at www.allmodern.com.

Who says that a woman's best friend is always a diamond? It's really the shoes and the matching handbag.

When I was younger, fashion was important to me. Many years later something else has become a higher priority. Can you guess what it is? Here's a hint for you ... www.cookware.com

Check out some of their other online stores by clicking here. 

The deadline is June 11th and a winner will be announced on June 12th. 


I will then get you in touch with Sean over at CSNstores and he will set you up with the $40 gift certificate to spend in any of their stores. Remember that this giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. Good luck to those who participate!