This isn’t your average empanada dough, mi gente! Just 5 simple ingredients including a brown sugar-cinnamon simple syrup, flour, pork lard (yes, you heard that right!), and salt. No butter, no yeast, and no eggs. Learn how to make perfect empanadas filled with your faves: Cuban picadillo, chicken, ham and cheese, guava & cheese, and more!
In a saucepan, add water and the cinnamon stick then stir in the brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and transfer to a glass measuring cup to cool. Set aside.
Make the empanada dough:
In a large bowl, add the flour, lard, and salt. Add in the cooled cinnamon sugar syrup, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix with a fork until a smooth dough begins to form.
Move the dough to a clean work surface and start kneading with your hands for 5-8 minutes until the dough is soft, smooth, and not sticky.
Place the dough back in the bowl, cover the bowl with a kitchen towel, and let it rest for 20 minutes at room temperature.
Cut the dough into 12 evenly sized pieces and roll them into golf-size balls. On a clean and floured work surface, with a floured rolling pin, roll each dough ball into a 5-inch disc that’s 1/8-inch thick.
To make Cuban empanadas on the stove:
Make my Cuban beef picadillo recipe. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the beef filling into the center of the dough disc.
Lightly brush the edges of the disc with water. Fold the top half of the circle over the filling then seal with a fork. Repeat with the rest of the dough or you can refrigerate the rest for another time.
In a large skillet, heat 1 cup oil to 400ºF. Fry the empanadas for 3-4 minutes until crispy and golden brown on all sides. Drain on paper towel-lined plates. Serve immediately.