These cherry empanadas with cream cheese are a great way to use up extra cherries! These dessert empanadas are filled with a fresh cherry filling and a sweet cream cheese mixture, and are baked until flaky, golden perfection.
You might think of ground beef, onions, and spices when you think of empanadas. And why wouldn’t you? It’s the classic filling for a classic hand-held treat. But I have something on the sweeter side for you today. I have a recipe for cherry and cream cheese-filled dessert empanadas that are going to knock your socks off and kick your sweet tooth into overdrive. The best part is that they’re made with pie crust, so they’re super easy and they’re baked not fried. That means you get a golden, crusty outside without all the oil and cleanup! These are perfect for desserts, snacks, or additions to any party. So get ready for some major deliciousness!
Cherry Empanadas
These delicious dessert empanadas start with a sweet cherry filling and a sweet and tangy cream cheese filling – both of which are homemade but so easy. I cut out small circles of pie dough with a large biscuit cutter and I load them up with both fillings. Then, I fold them over and crimp them closed for that classic empanada shape. Finally, I brush them with egg wash and bake them until they’re golden brown. When it’s all said and done, I have some cherry-licious, hand-held treats that everyone devours.
Why You’ll Love This Cherry Empanada Recipe
- They are delicious and the combination of cherries, cream cheese, and flaky pastry is simply irresistible.
- They are made with store-bought dough that bakes up flaky and is delicious.
- They’re versatile and can be served for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an afternoon snack.
Cherry Empanadas Ingredients
Everything you need for this recipe is either in your kitchen or at your local grocery store. There’s nothing fancy at all about this one!
- Pre-made empanada dough is the base for the empanadas providing a flaky, buttery crust, and is a convenient and quick way to make empanadas.
- Fresh cherries are the star of the show, and provide a sweet, tart flavor that is perfect for dessert.
- Sugar adds sweetness to the cherries.
- Water helps to dissolve the cornstarch and helps thicken the cherry filling.
- Cornstarch thickens the filling and prevents the filling from becoming runny.
- Cream cheese adds richness and moisture to the filling, and helps balance out the tartness of the cherries.
- Lemon juice adds flavor to the cream cheese filling.
- Vanilla extract adds a subtle sweetness and flavor to the filling.
- Large egg is used to brush the empanadas before baking and helps to create a golden brown crust.
How to Make Cherry Empanadas
Although both fillings are homemade, they’re quick and easy. Using pre-made empanada dough makes the rest of the recipe equally as simple. It’s a straight-ahead dessert recipe that’s ready in no time.
Step 1: Make the Cherry Filling
Add cherries and sugar to a small saucepan over low heat. Then, mix water and cornstarch together and add it to the cherry mixture. Cook on low for 5 to 7 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy. Then, add the sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla and beat until combined.
Step 3: Fill the Empanadas
Place the empanada dough on a lightly floured surface. Add a spoonful of cream cheese mixture to the center of each dough circle, then top it with a spoonful of the cherry mixture. Fold the circle in half over the dough, moisten the edges, and crimp closed with fork tines. Place the empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 4: Bake
Mix the egg and water together and brush it onto the empanadas. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees until golden.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overfill your empanadas or they’re open while baking.
- When moistening the edges of your dough to seal it, only add a touch of water. You don’t want to make the dough soggy.
- Stir your cherry mixture continuously while cooking to prevent scorching.
Variations
- Use your favorite diced fruits to make any kind of filling you like.
- Berries make a wonderful filling for these empanadas.
- Try using crescent dough for a different texture and flavor.
What to Serve with Cherry Empanadas
These delicious empanadas are the perfect sweet breakfast or snack with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. They also make a fun addition to any breakfast of your favorite savory options like bacon, sausage, eggs, ham, and hash browns.
Recipe FAQ
Empanadas are a type of baked or fried turnover made of pastry folded over a filling that can be either sweet or savory.
Some empanada varieties are very good when eaten cold or at room temperature. It all depends on the filling and your personal preference.
Empanadas can be either baked or fried.
The absolute king of empanadas is the beef-filled variety. Whether baked or fried, most people tend to love a beefy filling.
Empanadas and hand pies are almost identical. The main difference is the dough. Traditional empanadas use a dough that is similar to tortilla dough, while hand pies use a short dough of flour and shortening or butter.
How to Store Leftover Cherry Empanadas
Store these empanadas in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to a month in an airtight, freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag.
Try This Delicious Cherry Empanada Recipe Today
This cherry empanada is a delicious sweet snack, breakfast, or dessert that’s so easy to make and so delicious. Sweet, homemade cherry filling and a sweet and tangy cream cheese filling come together inside an pie dough empanada that’s baked until golden brown and just waiting to be devoured. And people WILL devour them! Make a batch of these, and I know they’ll be a permanent part of your dessert rotation.
More Delicious Empanada Recipes You’ll Enjoy
These Cherry Cream Cheese Egg Rolls are a delicious hand-held, crispy dessert egg roll that the whole family will enjoy as well.
Cherry Empanadas
Ingredients
- 11.6 ounce Goya® 5" baking empanada dough
Cherry Filling
- 2 cup fresh cherries, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounce cream cheese
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cherry Filling
- In a small saucepan over low heat, add cherries and sugar. Stir
- Mix water and cornstarch together until combined and add to the cherry mixture.
- Cook on low for 5-7 minutes or until the cherry mixture has thickened. Set aside to cool.
Cream Cheese Filling
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.
- Spoon a spoonful of cream cheese mixture in the center of the empanada dough followed by a spoonful of cherry mixture..
- Fold the dough over in half and moisten the edges.
- Using a fork, crimp the edges to secure.
Egg Wash
- Mix egg and water together in a small bowl and brush over each empanadas.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
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Where do you buy the goya emenada pastry dough
Hi Stephanie, you can buy it from Walmart, Kroger and H.E.B. 🙂
Do these need to be refrigerated or can they be left out?
Hi Patti,
I would keep them in the fridge because of the cream cheese mixture. I hope you enjoy these if you end up making them. 🙂