Baking Up Some Fall Goodness!

It's a chilly 55 degrees outside this afternoon and perfect weather for Fall Baking!
I love pumpkin and spices when the weather cools down.  Comfort foods also come to mind when I start nesting indoors.   I opened my family cookbook to a holiday favorite that is perfect for Fall -
Pumpkin Empanadas!

An empanada is a flaky, baked delight with a flavorful filling that makes it impossible to eat just one!
This home baked treat is a staple on our Christmas Cookie Platter each year.
I have attempted to step out the process for making these flavorful, flaky, Fall favorites - try saying that 5 times fast!

cream cheese and butter, always a good start!

wrap dough and refrigerate overnight

roll out dough and cut into rounds

place filling in center - avoid the temptation to add more or it will make a mess when you attempt to fold and crimp and ooze out when baking!  

crimp edges with fork, prick top with fork and brush with egg and bake til golden - some may ooze more personality than others..

Pumpkin Empanadas

Dough recipe makes 16 (31/2 inch) rounds 

3 oz Cream Cheese

1/2 C butter

1C flour

Cream butter and cream cheese together

Stir flour in gradually and work into a ball

Wrap and Refrigerate dough overnight, remove 1/2 hour before use.

Roll dough out and cut into 31/2 inch circles

Pumpkin Filling:

1 small can solid pumpkin puree

follow recipe on can but leave out 1 egg and the milk

Put 1 level tsp. filling in center of each round

Fold over, pressing edges lightly with fork

Prick top with fork and brush with beaten egg

Bake at 400 degrees 11-12 minutes til golden brown

Note:  dough makes 16 rounds but filling makes enough to more than triple the recipe, so make lots of them or save filling for later.

Bonus - your kitchen will smell wonderful,

you will have your fill of comfort food,

and you didn't have to wait til Christmas!

P.S.  I wandered into a new store, looking for a spare can of pumpkin and found some wonderful boxed cookies that screamed Fall and I couldn't resist!  I was not disappointed either!

These cookies are crispy with a soft, creamy maple flavored filling.  They are from Canada and boast that they're made with real maple syrup.   They make a pretty presentation too!  Mix and match home baked with store bought and share the love!

Happy Fall Y'all!!!