CAJUN FRIED SWEET DOUGH PIES (HAND PIES)

Prep time 
25 mins 

Cook time 
15 mins 

Total time 
40 mins 

Recipe by: George Graham 
Serves: 6–8 pies 

Ingredients 

For the dough: 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour  
• 1/4 cup sugar  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt  
• 1/2 cup cold butter (cut into cubes)  
• 1/4–1/2 cup cold water  
• For the filling (apple version): 
• 2 cups diced apples  
• 1/2 cup brown sugar  
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon  
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg  
• 1 tablespoon butter  
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice  

(You can also use peach, blackberry, or fig — whatever you’ve got.) 

For frying: 

• Vegetable oil  
• Powdered sugar, for dusting  

Instructions 

1. Make the dough 
   In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. 
   Add cold water a little at a time until dough comes together. 
   Wrap and chill 20 minutes.  
2. Make the filling 
   In a skillet, cook apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, and lemon juice over medium heat until soft and thick (about 8–10 minutes). Let cool.  
3. Roll and fill 
   Roll dough out and cut into 5–6 inch circles. 
   Spoon filling onto one side, fold over, and crimp edges with a fork.  
4. Fry 
   Heat oil to 350°F. Fry pies 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown.  
5. Serve 
   Drain on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar while warm.