Craving that Sweet, Cinnamony Dream? How to DIY Those Taco Bell Empanadas (and avoid a drive-thru meltdown)
Let's face it, folks. Sometimes, the siren song of Taco Bell's siren song of Caramel Apple Empanadas is just too strong to resist. But what about those nights when the mere thought of navigating rush hour traffic for a tiny pocket of sugary goodness makes you want to crawl under the covers? Fear not, fellow empanada enthusiasts! Because today, we're taking back the reins of destiny (and saving a few bucks in the process) with a legendary copycat recipe that'll have you saying "adios" to the drive-thru and "oh hello" to homemade happiness.
The Great Empanada Assembly: A Play-by-Play
First things first, gather your culinary comrades:
- Pie crust: Pre-made is perfectly acceptable, my friends. We're all about efficiency here. But if you're feeling fancy (or have a box of puff pastry lingering in the fridge), go for it!
- Canned apple pie filling: Because ain't nobody got time to peel and core apples tonight. We're on a mission for melty, gooey deliciousness.
- Caramel sauce: The bolder, the better. Trust me.
- Melted butter: For that golden, crispy perfection.
- Cinnamon sugar: The magic dust that turns this whole thing into a flavor fiesta.
- A rolling pin (optional): Only needed if your pie crust is a bit on the thicc side and requires some flattening.
- A mug (or cookie cutter): For achieving those perfectly round empanada dreams.
- A fork: Because who doesn't love a good old-fashioned crimping session?
Now, Let's Get This Party Started!
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Tame the Filling: In a saucepan, heat your apple pie filling over medium heat. You want it nice and warm, but not bubbling like a cauldron. Once it's cozy and fragrant, stir in a generous amount of caramel sauce. How much is "generous"? Let's just say you shouldn't be shy. This is the good stuff, people.
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Wrangle the Dough: Unfurl your pie crust and unleash your inner circle master. Use that mug (or cookie cutter) to stamp out as many rounds as your heart (and stomach) desires. Don't worry about perfection – rustic charm is totally in this season (or at least, that's what we're telling ourselves).
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The All-Important Filling Ceremony: Spoon a heaping tablespoon of your warmed-up apple-caramel glory into the center of each dough round. We're not looking for dainty portions here – go big or go home (or rather, go back for seconds).
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The Great Seal: Moisten the edges of your dough rounds with a bit of water (think light finger painting, not a full-on water balloon fight). Now comes the fun part: fold the dough over the filling and crimp those edges with a fork. Get creative! Zigzags, scallops, whatever your crimping spirit desires.
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The Golden Touch: In a small bowl, combine your melted butter and cinnamon sugar. Brush this magical potion over the tops of your empanadas. This is what dreams are made of, folks.
Pro Tip: If you're feeling fancy, sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar on top for good measure. Because, why not?
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The Home Stretch: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange your empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake those beauties for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. The smell wafting through your kitchen will be a glorious reward for your efforts.
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Victory Lap (and Devouring): Let your empanadas cool for a few minutes (those insides get mighty hot!), then grab a plate, a fork, and prepare to dive into homemade, melty, cinnamony bliss. You've earned it, my friend.
There you have it! Forget the drive-thru drama and the questionable ingredients. With this recipe, you can create Taco Bell-worthy empanadas from the comfort of your own kitchen. Now, go forth and conquer your cravings – you culinary rockstar, you!
