Caramel Apple Empanada

What is it?

Fried until golden and crimped shut, this handheld pastry holds a warm filling of cooked apple pieces and caramel, usually with a little cinnamon in the mix. It's built like a sweet turnover, but the shell is thinner and crispier than a typical pie crust, so it eats more like a snack than a slice. In the dessert lineup, it stood apart from churros and cinnamon twists by leaning on fruit and a softer center instead of just sugar and crunch. It's been a recurring item, disappearing and returning over the years, picking up fans along the way.