GUAVA AND CREAM CHEESE EMPANADAS

Guava and Cream Cheese Empanadas image

Provided by Food Network

Time 4h

Yield 30 empanadas

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 1/2 kilograms (5.51 pounds) all-purpose flour
5 large eggs
2 ounces salt
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups water
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 pound guava paste
1 pound cream cheese
Large eggs, whisked with 1 tablespoon water per egg, for the egg wash
Sugar for sprinkling

Steps:

For the empanada dough: Mix all empanada ingredients in a mixer. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
For the filling: Put the guava paste and cream cheese in a bowl and use a potato masher to mash the two ingredients until they are incorporated.
To form the empanadas, use half of dough (save remaining dough for another use). Knead the dough. Roll the dough out by hand or with a commercial sheeter. Cut out circles of dough 6- to 7-inches in diameter. Place a dough circle in an empanada mold if you have one, but it?s not necessary; fill empanadas with guava mixture. Wet the edges of the dough with your fingers. Close the mold to seal, or fold dough over filling and use the tines of a fork to seal the edges. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Use a pastry brush to paint empanadas with an even coat of egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar.
Preheat convection oven to 450 degrees F, or regular oven to 400 degrees F. Place empanadas on greased baking sheets. Bake for 3 minutes in convection oven or 10 to 15 minutes in regular oven.