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La Piña en la Cocina

Embracing my Mexican heritage and sharing all the wonderful flavors, colors and foods I grew up with. Join me on this journey as I also learn new foods and cooking techniques. Dedicated to my parents Ramiro and Blanca.

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Home » Empanadas » Easy Empanada Dough!

Easy Empanada Dough!

October 31, 20206 Comments

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Stop looking for that easy empanada dough! This is it! Plus the fact that I can just add everything to my stand mixer!

Sugar coated empanadas close up

What’s The Secret To This Recipe?

The ingredient that makes this easy empanada dough recipe perfect, cola! Coca Cola, Mexican Coca Cola! The results are a lightly sweetened dough that’s soft and flaky. I love it!

Three empanadas side by side

Do you measure or weigh your flour?

For years my sister in law has been advising me to weigh out my flour when I bake. I took her advice and it was awesome! A basic digital scale for your kitchen is an inexpensive investment.

Pinterest image with header for easy emapanada dough

How many dough recipes have you tried?

If you are like me, I have tried countless dough recipes in search for that one perfect recipe. I will not discredit my previous recipes.

Dredging warm empanadas through cinnamon and sugar

Traditional Mexican Emapanadas

Pumpkin, pineapple and cajeta(dulce de leche) are three traditional empanada fillings. I am still trying to master the dulce de leche! Half of the time the filling stays intact. The other half of the time, it leaks out! I am not a fan of the texture when you mix in the egg yolk to keep it from leaking.

Three empanadas cut open to expose the filling
Unbaked pineapple empanadas brushed with egg wash
These are filled with a chunky homemade pineapple filling. I like to finish these with egg wash instead of the cinnamon and sugar dredge. For a more golden brown finish use milk or heavy cream in the egg wash instead of water.
Freshly baked pineapple empanadas
Chicken empanadas in a baking pan
This savory Chicken Empanada Recipe is delicious! It also includes an easy recipe, but it’s prepared with beer!
Empanada filled with dulce de leche close up
Pumpkin cooked in piloncillo is the filling
Classic pumpkin filling. The pumpkin is cooked with Mexican piloncillo(cane sugar cones) until it becomes very thick and darker.
Using a fork to seal the empanada edges
Using a fork to seal the edges.
Piercing the tops of empanadas with a knife
Freshly baked empanadas on baking sheet
Fresh baked pumpkin empanadas
A baking sheet filled with empanadas
Collage of ingredients for empanada dough

https://animoto.com/play/7y1rc5f7GUGjiYk0rHNrHw

A baking sheet filled with finished empanadas

Easy Empanada Dough!

Coca cola is the secret ingredient in this easy and delicious empanada dough recipe!
4.60 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert, Empanadas
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Resting Time For Dough: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 36 empanadas

Ingredients

  • 8 oz vegetable shortening
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/3 tsp salt
  • 1 pound all purpose flour 3 1/2 cups more or less
  • 6 oz coca cola at room temperature carbonated

Instructions

  • In the bowl of the stand mixer, cream the shortening for 2 minutes. Add the the sugar and mix for another 2 minutes.
  • Mix in the baking powder and salt.
  • Gradually mix in the flour just until incorporated. Gradually mix in the carbonated, room temperature coca cola. Mix on low for 1 minute. Do not over mix.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 1-2 minutes. If the dough feels too sticky and loose, mix in 1 tbsp. more of flour then gently knead it. Repeat until the dough is just slightly tacky, but manageable. Cover with plastic wrap and let chill for 30 minutes.
  • Roll 36 equal dough balls. Keep covered in a bowl so they don't dry out.
  • Before pressing the dough ball dredge lightly in flour. Using a lined tortilla press or a rolling pin, roll out your empanada disc to about 3 inches. Add 1 tablespoon of your favorite filling(pineapple, pumpkin, apple). Fold over and apply pressure with your fingers. Seal with a fork around the edges or you can pinch and fold over to give it that braid look.
  • Transfer filled empanadas to a parchment lined baking sheet. If you will be dredging through cinnamon and sugar leave them as is. If you prefer to finish them with egg wash, then go ahead and brush them all over the exposed surface of the empanada.
  • Bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 26-30 minutes or until lightly golden brown in color. If dredging with cinnamon and sugar(1 c sugar mixed with 1 1/2 tsps cinnamon) , you want to do this while empanadas are still warm.

Notes

The time above does not include the time for preparing the filling. The finished dough can be refrigerated for 2-3 days. Egg wash is essentially 1 egg with 1 tbsp. of cold water or milk. Whisk until combined.
I cannot stress enough on how the amount of flour depends on the temperature and environment of your home on any particular day. If it is humid, your dough will require more flour to be manageable.
Tried this recipe?Mention @pinaenlacocina or tag #pinaenlacocina!

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Filed Under: Empanadas, Pan Dulce~Sweet Bread

Previous Post: « Calabaza en Miel. Pumpkin in Piloncillo Syrup
Next Post: Jamoncillo- Dulce de Leche Candy »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary

    November 1, 2020 at 9:05 am

    I’ve had this dough recipe for over 40 years! It was passed on to me from family recipes.

    Reply
    • Sonia

      November 1, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      Some of my family in Mexico use a variation of this coca cola recipe as well.

      Reply
  2. Elsa

    January 21, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Looking for coca cola empanada dough

    Reply
    • Sonia

      January 22, 2021 at 12:36 pm

      Did you find the recipe?

      Reply
  3. Janet

    October 7, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    Hola Sonia!! Muchas gracias por todas tus recetas, me encantan todas! My mom has tried to teach me her Mexican recipes but she’s not the measuring type so its always un poquito de esto y pues its never the same. With yours I can master my dishes and they are always bomb! I can’t wait to try this empanada recipe, my previous attempts have been fails but excited to try this one with coke!

    Reply
    • Sonia

      October 7, 2021 at 7:15 pm

      Hi Janet! My mom didn’t have any written recipes either. Many of the recipes that are inspired from her cooking are all from memory. Thank you for taking the time to write to me. I appreciate it!

      Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, my name is Sonia Mendez Garcia. My parents Ramiro and Blanca Mendez moved to the United States from Monterrey, Mexico in 1963. I am first generation Mexican American born in Los Angeles, California. Cooking has always been one of my passions in life. This is my journey and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Read More…

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