Texas Hand Pies

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons sour cream (or plain yogurt)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup preserves (or jam, pie filling, fruit butter, etc.)
• 2 tablespoons preserves (or jam, pie filling, fruit butter, etc.)
• confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling

Directions

1. 1

   Add the flour, baking powder and salt to the food processor bowl. Pulse a time or two to blend. Add the vanilla, sour cream and milk. Pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter, shortening and sugar and egg, and process until the mixture is thoroughly blended and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and form a ball.

2. 2

   Divide the mixture into 12 equal portion and form into balls.

3. 3

   Refrigerate for about an hour until they're well chilled.

4. 4

   Preheat oven to 375, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. 5

   Flour the work surface and rolling pin. Place a ball of chilled dough on the floured surface. Roll each ball of chilled dough into a 5" diameter circle, using additional flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking to the rolling pin.

6. 6

   Spread 1 1/2 tbsp filling on one half of the circle, leaving a 1/2" uncovered space around the edge of the dough. Moisten the 1/2" space all around the edge of the dough with water.

7. 7

   Fold the circle of dough in half, over the filling, and crimp the edges with a fork. Prick the pies a few time with the fork tines, to allow the steam to escape while they're baking.

8. 8

   Place the pies on the parchment on the baking sheet, and bake in the pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they're light brown.

9. 9

   Place the pies on a cooling rack until room temperature. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar before serving.