Irresistible Apple Funnel Cake Hand Pies: A Delicious Twist!

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups of finely diced tart apples
• ⅓ cup of brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¾ teaspoon of aromatic ground cinnamon
• ¾ cup of chopped dried apples
• 1 portion of Buttermilk Dough for Fried Fruit Pies, kept cool
• 2 cups of canola oil for frying, or a bit more if required
• 1 tablespoon of confectioners' sugar, or more for dusting if desired

Step 1

Combine a delightful mixture of fresh apples, rich brown sugar, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a dash of fragrant cinnamon in a petite saucepan sitting over high flames. Watch as the concoction bubbles and melds together, infusing the air with sweet scents. Let it simmer until the apples tenderize slightly, which usually takes around 8 minutes. Introduce a handful of dried apples and allow the mixture to cool off, enhancing the flavors further.

Step 2

In the meantime, give the chilled dough a breather for about half an hour. Lay down a cushion of paper towels on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet to prepare for the next step.

Step 3

Dust your work area with a light sprinkling of flour and roll out the dough into a sizable 12x16-inch rectangle, ensuring it reaches a delicate 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out a dozen 4-inch rounds with precision. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the apple blend onto the center of one round. Gently fold the round in half, making sure the filling remains snug inside. Seam the edges together firmly and adorn them with a decorative crimp using a floured fork. Repeat this graceful process with the rest of the dough and filling.

Step 4

In a sturdy 10-inch cast-iron skillet or another deep, heavy pan, heat up about an inch of oil until it reaches a temperature of 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Carefully slip three pies into the sizzling oil, maintaining the heat level to keep it at a consistent 350 degrees F. Rotate the pies every half a minute to achieve a perfectly golden, crispy exterior, usually taking around 3 minutes. Once done, transfer the pies to the paper towels to drain off excess oil. Allow them to cool for a bit before generously dusting them with a shower of powdered sugar.