Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- for the crust --
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3-4 tablespoons cold vodka (or ice water)
- for the filling --
- 1 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots
- 1 cup coarsely chopped pitted dried plums (OK, they're prunes)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Preparation
Step 1
Put the flour, butter, sugar and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add 3 tablespoons vodka (or ice water) and process until it all comes together into a dough ball (add the last tablespoon of vodka if it isn't coming together well). Shape the dough into a 1-inch thick round, wrap it in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for one hour.
While the dough chills, combine the apricots and plums in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring frequently (you can add more water if it starts to get too dry). Stir in the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and continue to simmer for another 5 minutes or until the fruit is very tender (it will have a jammy consistency). Remove from heat and cool.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make a wash. Set aside.
Roll the dough out on a very lightly floured work surface to a thickness of about 1/8". Using a 4-inch round cookie cutter, cut out as many circles as the dough will make (re-roll as necessary). Add a tablespoon or two of fruit filling to the center of each circle. Using your finger, rub a little egg wash along one side edge of the circle (to help seal) and then carefully fold the dough over the filling, pressing the edge lightly to seal. Use a fork to crimp and completely seal each edge. Pierce each hand pie with a fork several times (to allow the steam to escape), brush with egg wash and set on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and flaky. Cool on a wire rack.