Name: Praline Sweet Potato Empanadas
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 24
Ingredients: For the sweet potato filling:; 3 cups baked sweet potatoes (about 3 large sweet potatoes); 1 cup Florida Crystals® Organic Raw Cane Sugar; ½ tsp salt; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 large eggs, lightly whisked; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick); For the empanada dough:; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 2 tsp salt; ½ cup Florida Crystals® Organic Brown Raw Cane Sugar; 8 tbsp solid vegetable shortening; 1 large egg, slightly whisked; 1 cup milk; 1 egg white, whisked with 1 teaspoon water; For the powdered sugar glaze and praline topping:; ½ cup Florida Crystals® Organic Powdered Raw Cane Sugar, sifted; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tbsp water or milk; ¼ cup finely chopped pecans, toasted; 2 tbsp Florida Crystals® Organic Brown Raw Cane Sugar

This post is sponsored by Florida Crystals. Free samples of Florida Crystals® Organic Raw Cane Sugar were provided to take part in a recipe challenge and this recipe is the delicious result! All opinions are my own.

I’m in full Thanksgiving mode right now and this recipe is giving me all of the nostalgic feelings. Growing up, my Nanny Mac (my Dad’s Mom) always made Sweet Potato Pie for Thanksgiving and it was my all-time favorite. Her recipes were always so delicious and I definitely love making things that remind me of her. She would have loved these Praline Sweet Potato Empanadas. There’s just really nothing better than delicious handheld mini sweet potato pies topped with a decadent powdered sugar-vanilla glaze and a praline topping all made with Florida Crystals® Organic Raw Cane Sugar products.

I’m such a sucker for a hand pie. Sweet little packages of pie are so fun. Fill them with berries, chocolate, and sweet potatoes and you’ve got a winner. This filling is so delicious. It’s made with freshly baked sweet potatoes, Florida Crystals® Organic Raw Cane Sugar, vanilla, eggs, and butter. The crust is a little sweet and the topping combines Florida Crystals® Organic Powdered Raw Cane Sugar, pecans, and Florida Crystals® Organic Brown Raw Cane Sugar.

Authorloulousucre

DifficultyBeginner

Yields24 Servings

Prep Time1 hrCook Time30 minsTotal Time1 hr 30 mins

For the sweet potato filling:

3 cups baked sweet potatoes (about 3 large sweet potatoes)

1 cup Florida Crystals® Organic Raw Cane Sugar

½ tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs, lightly whisked

½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)

For the empanada dough:

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp salt

½ cup Florida Crystals® Organic Brown Raw Cane Sugar

8 tbsp solid vegetable shortening

1 large egg, slightly whisked

1 cup milk

1 egg white, whisked with 1 teaspoon water

For the powdered sugar glaze and praline topping:

½ cup Florida Crystals® Organic Powdered Raw Cane Sugar, sifted

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp water or milk

¼ cup finely chopped pecans, toasted

2 tbsp Florida Crystals® Organic Brown Raw Cane Sugar

To make the sweet potato filling:

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the baked sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, eggs, and melted butter. Mix on low speed until just mixed. Set aside.

To make the empanada dough:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add the flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, and shortening. Mix on low speed until the shortening starts to resemble peas.

Add the egg and milk and mix until the dough just starts to come together. (Be very careful not to overwork the dough.)

Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough to a 1/4" thickness. Cut into large circles using a biscuit cutter or a large glass.

Place about 1/2 tablespoon of sweet potato filling in the dough circle. Brush the edges of the dough with the egg wash and fold over to seal. Crimp the edges with a fork. Brush each with the egg wash.

To make the empanadas:

Preheat the oven to 375℉. Bake the empanadas for 17-20 minutes until they start to turn golden brown. Remove and allow to cool. Top with the powdered sugar glaze and praline topping.

To make the powdered sugar glaze and the praline topping:

In a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or water (I used water). Pour the glaze over the cooled empanadas.

In a small bowl, add the toasted pecans and brown sugar. Stir to combine. Place in the microwave for 1 minute, cooking in 15-second intervals. Stirring after each 15-second interval. Sprinkle the mixture over the top of each empanada.

Ingredients