Empanadas de Camote (Sweet Potato Empanadas)

Name: Empanadas de Camote (Sweet Potato Empanadas)
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups Water; 2 Ceylon cinnamon sticks, (2 inches long); 1 ½ tsp. Anise seed; 1 ½ cups Sugar, (granulated); 1.6 lb. Sweet potato, (peeled, cut into large dice (About two large ones)); 17.6 oz. All-Purpose flour; 2 ½ tsp. Baking powder; 2/3 cup Melted refined coconut oil ((the original recipe used shortening)); ¼ cup Sugar; 1 tbsp. Ground cinnamon; 1 1/3 cup Sweet Potato Syrup ((see above)); 2 tbsp. Almond milk; 1 tbsp. Maple Syrup