Fried Strawberry Hand Pies 🍓
Golden, flaky hand pies bursting with sweet strawberry filling, perfect for a delightful treat! These fried hand pies are an easy and delicious homemade dessert.
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- Pastry Blender
- Rolling Pin
- 4.5-inch Round Cookie Cutter
- Small Saucepan
- Airtight Container
- Parchment Paper
- Baking Sheet
- Large, Heavy-bottomed Pot (Dutch Oven)
- candy thermometer
- Slotted spoon
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Easy Pie Dough
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 cup Cold Unsalted Butter cubed
- 1/2 cup Cold Vegetable Shortening
- 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 6 Tablespoons Ice Water
Sweet Strawberry Filling
- 2 1/2 cups Fresh Strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- Pinch Kosher Salt
For Frying & Serving
- 1-2 cups Vegetable Oil or Shortening for frying (enough to fill your pot about 3 inches deep)
- 1-2 Tablespoons Sifted Confectioners' Sugar for dusting (optional)
- Vanilla Ice Cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
Making the Easy Pie Dough:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt until well combined.- Add the cold cubed butter and cold shortening to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut the fats into the flour mixture until it looks like coarse, pebbled sand.
- Pour in the apple cider vinegar and ice water. Gently mix until the dough just starts to come together in a shaggy mass.
- Lightly flour a clean work surface. Turn the dough out and knead it gently just until it forms a cohesive ball. Don't overmix!
- Press the dough into a flat, ½-inch thick disc. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, for the best texture.
Preparing the Sweet Strawberry Filling:
In a small saucepan, combine the fresh strawberries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch.- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Continue to boil for 10-15 seconds to thicken the filling and cook out the cornstarch flavor.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and a pinch of kosher salt.
- Allow the filling to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and chill it in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble the pies.
Assembling and Frying Your Hand Pies:
Take the chilled dough out of the fridge and let it rest at room temperature for about 5 minutes to make it easier to roll.- Lightly flour your work surface and a rolling pin. Roll the dough out to an even ¼-inch thickness.
- Use a 4 ½-inch round cookie cutter (or a clean glass rim) to cut out as many dough rounds as possible. Gather any dough scraps, gently knead them together, re-roll, and cut out more rounds until all dough is used.
- Place about one tablespoon of the chilled strawberry filling in the center of each dough round.
- Fold the dough over to create a semi-circle shape (like a half-moon). Press the edges firmly with your fingers, then use the tines of a fork to crimp and seal the edges completely, ensuring the filling stays inside.
- Arrange the assembled hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes while you prepare your frying oil.
- Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot (like a Dutch oven) with about 3 inches of vegetable oil or shortening. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pot and heat the oil to 365°F (185°C).
- Carefully place 3-4 hand pies into the hot oil at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are beautifully golden brown and crispy.
- Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the fried hand pies from the oil and transfer them to a wire rack placed over a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain any excess oil.
- Keep an eye on your oil temperature, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain 365°F throughout the frying process.
- Serve your strawberry hand pies warm or at room temperature. For an extra touch of sweetness, dust them lightly with sifted confectioners' sugar before serving. Enjoy them on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Notes
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 293 kcal
Total Carbohydrates: 33g
Net Carbohydrates: 32g
Fats: 17g
Protein: 4g
Calories: 293 kcal
Total Carbohydrates: 33g
Net Carbohydrates: 32g
Fats: 17g
Protein: 4g
