Pumpkin Pecan Empanaditas (Mini Empanadas) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Filling
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon each ground nutmeg and clo)
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Crust
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold butter (this is equal to 2 sticks, 8 oz, or 226g)
8 -10 tablespoons cold water
Glaze
1 egg
1 teaspoon water
Decoration
sanding sugar (optional)

Preparation

Combine pumpkin, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice in 2-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened (8 to 12 minutes). Cool completely (45 to 60 minutes). Stir in pecans.
Preheat oven to 400\u00b0F (200\u00b0C).
Combine flour, sugar and salt in medium bowl; cut in 1 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in enough water until flour is just moistened.
Divide dough in half. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-half at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter. Place rounded 1/2 teaspoon filling in center of each circle. Fold one side of circle over other to form crescent-shaped empanaditas. Pinch together lightly to seal. Place onto ungreased cookie sheet; press edges together with tines of fork to seal.
Whisk together egg and 1 teaspoon water in small bowl. Brush egg mixture lightly over tops of empanaditas; repeat. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if using. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.