A surefire hit at parties, these Mexican holiday treats can be made to celebrate any holiday with panache! Traditional flavors of cinnamon, tropical fruits and nuts will keep sending your guests back to the dessert table for more.
Instead of a traditional savory empanada, try this sweet alternative with its creamy, fruity and nutty filling. If you prefer peaches over mango, the choice is yours. Variety is the spice to have fun with.
Dessert Empanada with Mango and Pecans
Ingredients:
- puff pastry (thawed, if frozen is used)
- flour for dusting
- 2 fresh mangos (or 3 peaches)
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 3 Tblesp brown sugar
- 3 Tblsp pecan halves (toasted and chopped finely)
- 1 beaten egg (for glazing)
- confectioner's sugar (for sprinkling)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°. Roll pastry out on lightly floured surface. Cut eight circles (six-inch radius) by using bowl as a guide.
- Dice mangos (or peaches) into 1/2 inch cubes.
- Place a spoonful of sour cream on each pastry circle. Add mangos, nuts and brown sugar.
- Fold pastry over the filling, pressing edges together to seal. Use fork to make ridges on edges.
- Brush tops and edges with beaten egg. Prick the top with a fork.
- Place on baking sheet and sprinkle sugar on each empanada. Bake for 20 mins. or till golden brown.
Serves: 8
prep time: 20 mins.
cook time: 20 mins.
Mexican Wedding Cake cookies
These traditional Mexican cookies look like little wedding cakes. They can be served at a buffet, in the morning with coffee, or at any holiday meal to celebrate with family and friends.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz softened butter
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup of pecans or walnuts, toasted and finely chopped
Directions:
- Stir together butter, vanilla or almond extract with 1 cup of sugar in bowl till creamy.
- Sift together flour and salt in another bowl, then fold into mixture. Add nuts. Chill in fridge for an hour.
- Preheat oven to 375°. Shape cookies into 1 inch balls with lightly floured hands. Place on large baking sheets 1-1/2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10 mins. Let cool on baking sheets 2-3 mins. before removing.
- Roll cookies in sugar and store in airtight containers when completely cooled.
makes: approx. 24 cookies
prep time: 15 mins plus 1 hour for chilling in fridge
cook time: 10 mins.
Holiday foods come from all corners of the globe. Mexican holiday treats celebrate the flavors of tropical fruits; mango, papaya, guava. Can't find these fruits in your area? Try the recipe with another fresh fruit currently in season in your local stores. Enjoy!
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