Mexican Pinata Pockets Recipes

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease four 6-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cayenne. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, vanilla and eggs. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and then stir in the coffee.
• Pour the batter into the cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Begin checking for doneness at 23 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn the cakes onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• For the frosting: Beat together the powdered sugar and butter in a large bowl until creamy. Add the heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon and salt and beat to combine.
• For the assembly: Once the cakes are cooled, use a biscuit cutter to cut out 2- to 3-inch circles from the centers of 2 of the layers. (Use these circles to make a mini cake or just eat them.) Place one of the uncut layers on a plate or cake board and spread on a layer of frosting. Stack up the 2 cut layers on top of that with a layer of frosting in between. Fill the hole to the top with the candy-coated sunflower seeds or your favorite candy. Frost the top of the cake, then top it with the remaining uncut cake layer and frost it all over.

Steps:

• Working with 1 empanada wrapper at a time, cut the dough down the center to make 20 half circles.
• Onto 1 half of each half circle, leaving a narrow boarder around the rim to pinch, add 1/2-ounce each guava paste and queso blanco.
• Using a finger dipped in water, trace the edges of the half circles to moisten the dough. Fold uncovered half of the dough over the filling, making sure to press out all the air as you work. The final product should resemble a triangle with 1curved side. Using the tines of a fork, dipped in flour, if needed, crimp the sides to seal. Repeat with remaining 19 pastries.
• Heat 1-inch of oil in a heavy-bottom skillet to 360 degrees F.
• Fry the pastries, in batches, until golden, about 2 minutes. Flip and fry 2 minutes more. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain, then transfer to a serving platter. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with honey to serve.

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix together the yogurt, parsley, hot sauce, cumin, and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Slice the top off of each pita pocket. Fill each pocket with 2 slices of brisket, a quarter of the pickled cucumbers and drizzle with the yogurt mixture. Arrange on a serving platter and serve.

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 picante, mayo and salt, mix well.
• Toss with lettuce, avocado, tomato, chicken, olives, and onion.
• Spoon into pita pockets, top with grated cheese and drizzle with remaining picante sauce.
• To warm pita bread, wrap in foil ans bake 10 min at 350.