Pineapple Empanaditas

Due to popular demand, here is the recipe for the yummy pineapple empanaditas featured in our last post.  (Recipe courtesy of Eating Well magazine, February 2008.)  

Happy Baking!

Pineapple Empanaditas
Makes 2 dozen empanaditas

1 c. whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 c. cornmeal
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 and 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. reduced fat cream cheese (Neufchatel), cut into small pieces
2 Tbsp. canola oil
4 Tbsp. low fat milk
1 and 1/2 c. chopped fresh pineapple
1/3 c. pineapple or apricot preserves
2 Tbsp. plain dry breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
confectioners' sugar for dusting (optional)

1.  Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.  Add cream cheese and oil and blend with your fingers until crumbly.  Sprinkle the mixture with milk, 1 Tbsp. at a time, and stir with a fork until the dough just comes together - the mixture will still be a little crumbly.  Knead a few times in the bowl, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few more times until the dough comes together.  Divide in half and shape into 2 discs.  Wrap in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days.  

2.  Combine pineapple and preserves in a small saucepan.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until syrupy, 12-15 minutes.  Mash the pineapple into smaller chunks with a potato masher or fork.  Remove from the heat; stir in breadcrumbs and cinnamon.  

3.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.  

4.  On a well-floured surface, roll out one disc of dough at a time into a 1/8-inch-thick circle.  Cut circles of dough using a 3-inch round cookie cutter.  Repeat with the remaining dough, re-rolling scraps as necessary, to make 24 circles.  

5.  Place 1 tsp. pineapple filling in the center of each circle.  Fold in half, press edges together and crimp with a fork.  Place on the prepared baking sheet.  

6.  Bake the empanaditas until golden, 12-15 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly.  Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners' sugar, if desired.