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Home » Christmas Cookies

Sweet Empanadas (Dulce de Leche Cookies)

Published: Dec 8, 2017 · Modified: Nov 8, 2023 by Lizet

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These sweet empanadas or dulce de leche cookies, have a tender crumb infused with coffee and filled with creamy dulce de leche.

Not your traditional holiday recipe, but one that you'll want to bring to any gathering.

dulce de leche cookies drizzeled with chocolate on a cooling rack

Christmas cookies are not a tradition in South America, although, with the spread of social media, more and more people are making them. And these dulce de leche cookies are a blend of the two cultures in our family.

Sweet Empanadas (Dulce de Leche Cookies) Video

Other Dulce de Leche Recipes:

alfajores on a plate
Alfajores (Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies)
Homemade Dulce de Leche Pudding
Homemade Dulce de Leche Pudding

What is dulce de leche?

Dulce de leche is a dairy product made by cooking down milk and sugar and is commonly used as a filling for cakes, pastries, and cookies in many South American countries.

Dulce de leche comes in different thicknesses. For this recipe don't use the pourable kind. Either use Nestle Dulce de Leche in a can or for a more traditional flavor, Vacalin Dulce de Leche Reposteria (this is a thicker dulce de leche).

Ingredients

Flatlay image of the ingredients used for sweet empanadas
  • unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • cream cheese, at room temperature
  • large egg, at room temperature
  • vanilla extract
  • instant coffee or coffee extract
  • icing sugar 
  • all-purpose flour
  • unsweetened cocoa powder
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • dulce de leche
  • chocolate chips

How to make Sweet Empanadas (Dulce de Leche Cookies)

Chocolate cream cheese cookie dough:

  • Preheat the oven, and grease a couple of cookie sheets.
  • Measure all the ingredients.
  • Start by creaming butter and cream cheese. Then add icing sugar, egg, vanilla, and coffee extract.
  • Once the mixture is creamy, add the dry ingredients. If your mixer can handle it, do this step with the mixer, otherwise, use a spatula or a wooden spoon to mix it.
  • Roll out the dough and cut into circles. Add dulce de leche in the center of each cookie.
step by step dulce de leche cookies

Assembling and Baking:

  • To make sure they close properly, lightly brush the edges with water.
  • Place a dollop of dulce de leche in the center of each cookie, close each cookie, and gently press the edges.
  • Bake for 8 minutes each batch.
  • Once cool, drizzle with melted chocolate.
how to close sweet empanadas
baked dulce de leche cookies

How to store dulce de leche cookies:

These dulce de leche cookies can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

How to freeze chocolate cookie dough:

Divide the dough into 2 portions, shape them into discs, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in a zip-lock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

To use: place frozen dough in the fridge overnight. Use the next day.

How to freeze baked chocolate cookies:

Once cooled, freeze cookies in a zip-lock bag, or an air-tight container for up to 3 months.

Before serving: Defrost cookies on the counter for an hour. Melt chocolate and drizzle over cookies.

Sweet Empanadas FAQS

Can I use a different filling for these empanadas?

Yes, another delicious option is Nutella. Just make sure the filling you are using is not too runny.

Can I use margarine instead of butter for this recipe?

No, margarine contains more water and less fat. It makes thin cookies that spread out while baking and might burn.

Dulce de leche cookies with drizzeled chocolate

More Christmas Cookies on Chipa by the Dozen

If you like this easy dulce de leche cookie recipe, try some of these other great recipes from around the world.

  • Pepperkaker (Norwegian Christmas Cookies)
  • Anise Seed & Guava Thumbprint Cookies

If you liked the recipe above, please consider rating the recipe and leaving a comment below! and share your picture on Instagram with the hashtag #chipabythedozen

Recipe

freshly made sweet empanadas on a white plate
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Chocolate Dulce de Leche Empanadas (Cookies)

These sweet empanadas or dulce de leche cookies, have a tender crumb infused with coffee and filled with creamy dulce de leche.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time9 minutes mins
Total Time24 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, latinamerican
Servings: 30
Calories: 126kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons instant coffee or 1 teaspoon coffee extract
  • 1 teaspoon water, hot
  • ½ cup butter, softened (113.4g)
  • 85 g / 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1-½ cups icing sugar (187.5g)
  • 1 egg
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 2-⅓ cups all-purpose flour (291.6g)
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (39.33g)
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅔ cup dulce de leche (200g)
  • Water
  • 113 g / 4 oz bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375F/190.5C. Grease 2 cookie sheets.
  • If using instant coffee, disolve in 1 teaspoon of hot water. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl on medium speed, cream butter and cream cheese. Add icing sugar and beat for another minute. Add egg, vanilla and coffee mixture, mix until creamy.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll half of the dough at a time until about ⅛ inch thick. Using a 3-inch fluted or plain round cookie cutter, cut out the dough. Place circles on the prepared cookie sheets.
  • Place 1 teaspoon of dulce de leche in the center of each circle. Lightly brush edges of circles with water. Fold each circle in half; gently press edges to seal.
  • Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until edges are firm. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate for 1.30 minutes, stopping every 30 seconds to stir. Spoon chocolate mixture into a heavy resealable plastic bag. Snip a small corner off the bag; drizzle chocolate over cookies. Let stand until chocolate sets.

Notes

HOW TO FREEZE CHOCOLATE COOKIE DOUGH:
Divide the dough into 2 portions, shape them into discs, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in a zip-lock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To use: place frozen dough in the fridge overnight. Use the next day.
HOW TO FREEZE BAKED CHOCOLATE COOKIES:
Once cooled, freeze cookies in a zip-lock bag, or an air-tight container for up to 3 months.
Before serving: Defrost cookies on the counter for an hour. Melt chocolate and drizzle over cookies.

Nutrition

Calories: 126kcal

Pin it for later!

Dulce de leche cookies for Pinterest

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Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Beth

    November 14, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    These are absolutely delicious! I love the flavors, and it doesn't hurt that they're a lot easier to make than you would think.

    Reply
  2. Bobby

    November 14, 2023 at 1:47 pm

    These empanadas are incredible. Will definitely be making again!

    Reply
  3. Toni

    November 14, 2023 at 1:27 pm

    This is such a fantastic treat!! Thank so much for the recipe!

    Reply
  4. Katia

    November 14, 2023 at 1:10 pm

    You already had me at empanadas, and then I see cocoa and dulce de leche and I'm sold! I need to make these asap! Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Ann

    November 14, 2023 at 12:56 pm

    These look so yummy. I can only imagine how it looks inside after you take a bite. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Jill

    December 18, 2020 at 2:03 am

    So beautiful! You already know I love dulce de leche filling, this recipe is definitely on my list to try!

    Reply
  7. Kaka

    December 17, 2020 at 10:10 pm

    I didn’t know empanadas could be sweet too. Turned our delicious & definitely going on my Christmas table!

    Reply
    • Lizet

      December 18, 2020 at 8:30 pm

      I'm so happy you liked it!

      Reply
  8. Christina

    December 17, 2020 at 4:52 pm

    This was so delish! Perfect for the holidays!

    Reply
  9. Julia

    November 25, 2018 at 3:42 pm

    WOW! These are so beautiful and look absolutely delicious!

    Reply
    • Lizet Flores de Bowen

      November 25, 2018 at 8:53 pm

      Thank you Julia!

      Reply
  10. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie

    December 11, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    Oh wow! These sound so delicious. I think I could eat a whole plateful!! (I shall try very hard not to, though...for the sake of my waistline!!) Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare 😀 Eb x

    Reply
    • Lizet Flores de Bowen

      December 15, 2017 at 11:03 am

      Thanks Eb for coming by! It's very haste to stop at one 😏

      Reply
  11. Kat (The Baking Explorer)

    December 10, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    They look SO delicious!

    Reply
    • Lizet Flores de Bowen

      December 15, 2017 at 11:02 am

      Thanks Kat!

      Reply
  12. Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook

    December 10, 2017 at 9:56 am

    These are so so good!!! A perfect pair for my cup of tea. Thanks for sharing, Lizet. I hope you can visit other partygoers, too. Happy Fiesta Friday & have a lovely weekend!

    Reply
    • Lizet Flores de Bowen

      December 15, 2017 at 11:02 am

      Yes! Perfect with a cup of tea 😋. I got to visit done of the other bloggers. Delicious posts!

      Reply
  13. Judith Graber

    December 09, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    I don't sweeten my coffee but I might have to try dulce de leche! The cookies sound so good with two kinds of chocolate and then the coffee. A sure winner! I have been buying a number of Better Homes and Gardens magazines - the recipes are usually superb. I can remember buying it as just a gardening magazine but now they have all kinds of specialty issues 🙂

    Reply
    • Lizet Flores de Bowen

      December 09, 2017 at 6:21 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Judith! You definitely need to try Dulce de leche and the cookies too! 😊

      Reply

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Lizet's photo, creator of Chipa by the Dozen.

Hello! I am Lizet.

Welcome to my blog. This is a collection of the most beloved recipes between my family and friends. Some are my own creations and some are copycat from the many found on the internet, but with a twist using ingredients I can find in Paraguay. I hope you enjoy them!

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