Saturday

Mom's Applesauce Empanadas

APPLESAUCE EMPANADAS



½ C butter [1 stick]
¾ C sugar
1 egg
1 ¼ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp baking powder
3 C flour
¼ C water
Sweetened applesauce [appx 25 oz jar]

If desired, 1 beaten egg with tsp water for brushing tops [optional]

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Spray baking tray with non-stick spray.

Cream sugar and butter together with pastry blender.
Add cinnamon and egg, then sift in baking powder and flour, mixing in with your hands.
Add water slowly and knead by hand until dough is very smooth.
Form into balls of dough slightly larger than a walnut, smaller than an apricot.
Roll each into a circle on a floured surface or using a flexible mat. [You may need to work in a bit more sifted flour if dough is very sticky]
Fill with heaping teaspoon of applesause, fold over to form half circle and crimp ends together, then fold upwards to seal closed.
Poke GENTLY twice with a sharp small fork [to allow steam to escape] and if desired, brush with egg wash.
Bake 21-24 minutes on sprayed trays, remove immediately from tray to cool.
Do not eat until they have cooled at least 20 minutes, as applesauce will be HOT.
Makes about 1 ½ dozen