Cookie Empanadas Recipe – The Best Dessert You'll Ever Bake

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Cookie Empanadas are the sweet, flaky, fruit-filled dessert you never knew you needed — until now. With their buttery crust, jammy center, and glossy almond glaze, these bite-sized treats are a delightful mashup of traditional empanadas and your favorite jam-filled cookie. In this article, you’ll discover exactly how to make Cookie Empanadas from scratch, what fillings work best, why cottage cheese makes all the difference, and how to customize them for holidays or everyday snacking. Plus, we’ve added expert baking tips and variations to make this recipe your own.

Looking for inspiration? Try our Cranberry Shortbread Cookies Recipe for a festive flavor that pairs beautifully with these empanadas.

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Cookie Empanadas are essentially jam-stuffed cookies wrapped in a buttery, flaky dough and baked until golden, then drizzled with a light almond glaze. They resemble mini empanadas, but instead of savory fillings, they burst with fruity sweetness.

Sweet Twist on a Savory Classic

While traditional empanadas are known for meat or veggie fillings, this cookie version flips the script. The dough is tender like shortbread but holds its shape like a pastry shell, allowing for a perfectly contained, gooey center.

Perfect Holiday or Party Treat

Their unique shape and jam-glazed shine make Cookie Empanadas a standout on any dessert tray. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas cookie swap, a brunch spread, or just need something different, these cookies are guaranteed to spark conversation.

Why Cottage Cheese is the Unexpected Game-Changer

Cottage cheese might sound out of place in a cookie, but it’s the secret to this dough’s irresistible texture. It adds moisture, richness, and a subtle tang without overpowering sweetness. Bonus: it even sneaks in a little protein!

Don’t miss our Almond Joy Cookies Recipe — another unconventional twist on a cookie classic.

These cookies keep it simple, but every ingredient plays a role in building flavor and texture.

For the Flaky Dough

Here’s what you’ll need to make the dough:

All-purpose flour – sifted for best results
Butter – cold and cubed
Granulated sugar – just ⅓ cup for balanced sweetness
Salt – to enhance flavor
Cottage cheese – full-fat or 4% milkfat works best
Vanilla extract – for warmth and depth

The dough is made in a food processor in just minutes. It’s important to chill it for at least an hour to firm it up before rolling and cutting.

Jam and Filling Options

This is where creativity comes in. Any thick jam, preserve, or curd will work, but here are some recommended options:

Apricot preserves
Cherry or raspberry jam
Lemon curd
Strawberry or mixed berry jam

You’ll only need ¼ teaspoon of filling per cookie — a little goes a long way to avoid leaks.

Almond Glaze for the Finishing Touch

The almond glaze is optional but highly recommended:

Powdered sugar
Almond extract
Milk

Just whisk these together until smooth and drizzle over the cooled cookies.

Discover great ideas like our 3-Ingredient Brownies — another simple sweet to pair with these empanadas.

These cookies come together fast with a little chilling and careful assembly.

Prepping the Dough in Minutes

Start by pulsing flour and butter in a food processor until it forms pea-sized crumbs. Add sugar, salt, vanilla, and cottage cheese and pulse until the dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for one hour.

Filling and Sealing the Cookies

On a floured surface, roll the dough to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut out 3-inch circles with a cookie cutter or glass. Place a small dollop of jam in the center of each circle. Moisten edges with water, fold in half, and press with a fork to seal.

Tip: Flip and seal both sides for extra security.

Baking and Glazing for That Perfect Finish

Place the empanadas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and prick the tops with a fork. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool on a rack, then drizzle with almond glaze. Let the glaze set before storing.

Check out our Homemade Jelly Donuts for another jam-filled treat you’ll love.

Cookie Empanadas may be simple, but the right techniques can take them from good to bakery-level perfection. Here’s how to avoid the common pitfalls and get flawless cookies every time.

Best Jam Combinations to Try

Not all jams behave the same in the oven. To avoid runny or burned filling, go for thick, high-quality preserves. Here are a few killer combos to experiment with:

Raspberry jam + lemon zest
Apricot preserves + almond slivers
Strawberry jam + cream cheese (place a dab on top of the jam)
Cherry jam + mini chocolate chips

Want something even more indulgent? Try blending in Nutella or dulce de leche.

Looking for inspiration? Try our Pumpkin Pie Spice Cookies for a fall-flavored jam pairing.

Avoiding Soggy or Burst Cookies

The trick to keeping your Cookie Empanadas looking neat is not overfilling. Stick to ¼ teaspoon of filling and firmly seal the edges. Use a fork to crimp both sides for a tight seal and don’t forget to prick the tops to let steam escape.

Sprinkling a bit of flour on top of the dough before rolling also helps absorb excess moisture.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Tips

Storing: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing dough: You can freeze the raw dough for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge before rolling out.
Freezing baked cookies: Flash freeze and store in layers separated by parchment paper. Glaze after reheating for best results.
Reheating: Warm in a toaster oven at 300°F for 3–4 minutes.

Don’t miss our No-Bake Apple Cheesecake Recipe if you’re short on oven space but want dessert variety.

These cookies are wildly customizable. Once you’ve mastered the base dough, try swapping fillings, playing with shapes, or adapting for dietary needs.

Chocolate-Hazelnut Twist

Skip the jam and spoon a small dab of Nutella inside. Sprinkle with powdered sugar after baking instead of using glaze. Add crushed hazelnuts for crunch!

Cheesecake Filling Version

Mix softened cream cheese with a touch of powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Use ½ teaspoon per cookie. Combine with raspberry or blueberry preserves for a rich, tangy bite.

You’ll love pairing these with our Cheesecake in a Jar — a no-fail creamy dessert idea.

Gluten-Free or Vegan-Friendly Alternatives

To make this recipe gluten-free:

Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour mix. Chill the dough well to help it hold shape.

For vegan variation:

Replace butter with cold plant-based margarine
Use plant-based cottage cheese or silken tofu for the dough
Swap milk in the glaze for almond or oat milk

Check out our Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars for a naturally rich alternative that’s easy to modify too.

Can I use puff pastry instead of homemade dough?

Yes, but the result will be flakier and closer to a turnover. Homemade dough provides a softer, cookie-like bite. If using puff pastry, reduce baking time slightly and skip the glaze.

Do these need to be refrigerated?

Only if you used a perishable filling like cream cheese. Otherwise, they’re fine at room temp in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

What kind of jam works best for baking?

Thicker jams or preserves with lower water content work best — they won’t leak or make the dough soggy. Avoid jellies, which can melt and run.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prep the dough up to 48 hours ahead and store it in the fridge, or freeze assembled, unbaked cookies and bake fresh when ready.

Don’t miss our Caramel Apple Pie Bombs Recipe — another fun hand-held dessert bursting with flavor.

Cookie Empanadas are the kind of recipe that surprises and delights. From their flaky, golden crust to their sweet, fruity center and almond glaze finish, they’re as impressive as they are simple to make. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday cookie tray or just want to shake up your weekend baking routine, these cookies deliver flavor, texture, and a unique twist that guests will remember.

Plus, the cottage cheese dough gives these treats a melt-in-your-mouth texture that rivals anything from a bakery. You can go classic with raspberry jam or get adventurous with lemon curd, chocolate-hazelnut, or cheesecake-style fillings. There’s room for creativity in every batch.

Don’t miss our Chocolate Chip Banana Cookies Recipe — another reader-favorite with unique texture and flavor!

Cookie Empanadas Recipe That Will Melt in Your Mouth