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                                            Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 35 Minutes  | 
                                            Ready In: 35 Minutes Servings: 12  | 
                                         
                                        
                                     
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                    This is a recipe that my husband's grandmother used to make delicious fried fruit pies. Ingredients: 
                    
                        
                                                1-1/2 cups dried peaches, apricots, and/or apples (6 ounces)  |  
                                                1-1/4 cups apple cider  |  
                                                2 cups all-purpose flour  |  
                                                2 teaspoons baking powder  |  
                                                2 teaspoons granulated sugar  |  
                                                1/4 teaspoon salt  |  
                                                1/4 teaspoon baking soda  |  
                                                1/2 cup shortening  |  
                                                2/3 cup buttermilk or 1/3 cup buttermilk and 1/3 cup whipping cream  |  
                                                water  |  
                                                4 tablespoons shortening  |  
                                                sifted powdered sugar  |  
                                                
                     
                    Directions: 
                    
                        
                            
                                1. For the filling, in a saucepan combine dried fruit and apple cider. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered for 20 to 25 minutes or until fruit is tender (cider should be cooked down). Mash slightly. Cool. 2. Meanwhile, for the pastry, in a bowl combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Using a pastry blender, cut in the 1/2 cup shortening until pieces are pea-size. 3. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the buttermilk or buttermilk mixture over part of the flour mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side. Repeat, using 1 tablespoon of the buttermilk at a time, until all the dough is moistened. If pastry seems dry, add a little water, 1 tablespoon at a time. (Do not overhandle.) Form dough into ball. 4. Pat or lightly roll dough into a 15-inch circle. Using a 4-inch round cutter, cut the dough into 12 circles, rerolling dough as needed. Place about 1 tablespoon fruit on half of each circle. Moisten edges of circles with water. Fold over into half-moon shape. Seal edges with tines of a fork. 5. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the shortening over medium-low heat. Fry half of the pies for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels. (Add remaining shortening; fry remaining pies.) Serve warm. 6. Make-Ahead Tip: Cool pies completely and wrap securely in foil. Place foil-wrapped pies in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Freeze pies for up to 3 weeks. Reheat frozen pies, wrapped in foil, in a 350 degree F oven about 25 minutes or until heated through.) Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Makes 12 individual pies. 7. Chocolate Fried Pies: Omit fruit filling. Prepare pastry as directed. For chocolate filling, in a small bowl combine 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar and 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir in 4 tablespoons melted butter. Spread a scant 2 teaspoons of mixture onto each pastry circle. Fry pies as directed.                              | 
                         
                         
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