Fried (or Baked) Pies

Fried ( or Baked ) Pies

Yields: ~ 12 pies

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup ice water

Vegetable oil, for frying

1 egg (optional, if baking)

Peach Filling:

2 large peaches, pitted & chopped into 1/2-inch dice

2-3 Tbsp peach preserves

Pecan Filling:

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup chopped pecans

2 Tbsp butter, melted

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375°F if baking the pies. Heat 3 inches of oil in a frying pan or dutch oven if frying pies.

Prepare fillings: Combine chopped peaches & preserves in a small bowl. Set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, chopped pecans, melted butter and vanilla extract. Set aside.

Make the dough: Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch cubes. Work the butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Add the ice water and gently form the dough into a ball. Divide the dough into two halves. Lightly flour a smooth surface, and roll out each half to 1/16-inch thick (just thicker than a tortilla) and cut into ~5-inch rounds. Re-roll the scraps and cut additional rounds. Fill each round with 1 heaping Tablespoon of filling. Fold the dough into a half-circle; wet your fingers and press to seal the edges with water. Crimp the edges with the tines of a fork to seal the pies.

To bake the pies: Brush tops of prepared pies with an egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 Tbsp water). Bake on parchment lined baking sheets in the top 1/3 of the oven for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. Best served warmed and eaten the same day, but can be reheated at 325°F for 5-10 minutes.

To fry the pies: Gently fry the pies in the hot oil, 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Drain fried pies on paper towels.

For the glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together and brush over the warm pies. Serve immediately.