This simple PECAN AND PILONCILLO EMPANADA recipe has been in my family for many years. Some of my aunts use beer as the liquid in the mixture, others use orange-flavored soda or cola. I decided to give this recipe a try with a lonely leftover Mexican dark beer saved from its upcoming expiration date. The result was a perfect, flaky empanada filled with a thin layer of piloncillo and chunky pecans, dusted with a touch of cinnamon sugar to give it that seasonal taste and flavor we all love.