In the Kitchen: Apricot Hand Pies

Warm, sweet and comforting sunshine is in every bite of these fried Apricot Hand Pies, featuring Bella Viva Orchards’ Dried Apricots. Break out a mug of your favorite hot beverage, breathe in the aromas of summertime and dive in to these easy-to-make treats! Great for breakfast, tea time or dessert, this recipe is easy to double when you want to share them with friends and family.

Yields: 4 hand pies

Prep time: 50 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

Filling:

8 ounces (about 2 cups) Bella Viva Orchards Dried Apricots (see note)
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup water
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature

Pastry:

2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 large egg, beaten
½ cup whole milk, buttermilk or heavy cream

Topping (optional):

1 tablespoon powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar

For frying:

1 quart neutral oil (such as canola or vegetable)

Special equipment:

Pastry blender or two knives
6-7” round biscuit cutter
Deep-fryer or heavy pot
Deep-frying thermometer
Slotted spoon or wire “spider”

Instructions:

Make the filling: Cut the Dried Apricots into ¼-inch strips. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine apricots, sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Remove lid and stir in almond extract, vanilla extract and softened butter. Let cool to room temperature. As the mixture cools, it will thicken up.

Make pie crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking powder. Cut in cold cubed butter with a pastry blender or two knives until butter is in very small pieces and well distributed. Combine egg and milk and add to flour mixture, blending until a soft dough forms.

Topping (optional): Place sugar mixture in a shaker or small bowl and set aside.

Assemble: On a floured surface, roll dough out thinly. Using cutter, make four circles.

Place about ¼ cup Dried Apricot mixture in the center of each circle, being careful to keep filling away from pastry edges. Distribute any remaining fruit mixture evenly among pies. With your fingertips, wet the outer edges of the dough with a little milk or water. Fold in half and seal the edges with the tines of a fork.

In a deep fryer or heavy pot heat oil to about 370 degrees F. Gently lower pies into hot oil and fry until golden brown. Remove with wire “spider” or slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle sugar topping evenly over hot pies, if using.

Let ‘em cool a bit and then prepare your taste buds for glory! Enjoy them just as they are or dress ‘em up with vanilla ice cream, frozen vanilla yogurt or whipped cream!

Note: We recommend using Diced Tangy California Apricots, Dried Slab Apricots or Extra Value California Dried Apricots for this recipe. For darker color with still great results, go for the Organic California Apricots or California Natural Dried Apricots. If you use the Diced Tangy California Apricots you’ll skip the work of cutting the fruit!