Granny's Fried Apple Pies

Granny’s Fried Apple Pies
Dorcas Annette Walker

I like to start off my column this week by thanking all who have contacted me with many kind words about my cooking column and those of you who faithfully cut out and save my newspaper column each week- bless you. You definitely brighten my day! I’ve found out that sometimes a chef pops up in the most unexpected places. I was startled one night at supper when my son, Dwight, mentioned that Johnnie (the guy who owns a local body shop where Dwight enjoys hanging out at) loved to cook. I have to confess I was shocked when Dwight said that Johnnie even made Fried Apple Pies. To those of you who don’t live in the South you fry these pies in an iron skillet- honest! Mountain-style fried apple pies are similar (but not near as good) as the mini pastry fruit pies you can buy in the store. You know the ones that used to be four for a dollar, but now you are lucky to buy one for less than a dollar. In fact I can remember when you could buy those same pies at a discount bread store ten for a dollar. Making fried pies, mountain-style, is not in the same classification as doing up a batch of cupcakes so I was quite impressed with Johnnie’s expertise. I was still trying to figure out how to make the crust like the mountain folk. I called Granny and began comparing recipes of those who make fried pies up here on the mountain. I was intrigued to discover that the size of the fried pies is made by using the lid of a 42 oz shortening can measuring five and one quarter inches across. Last night I got out my iron skillet and commenced to fry up a batch of Fried Apple Pies letting my fellows be the judge. I felt I had arrived as the fried pies began disappearing, ignoring the fact that I was running late for supper. At one time I even had a saying on my refrigerator, Never serve meals on time; the starving eat anything! Dwight though, who is a picky eater, made my day when he said that he thought my crust was fluffy and light, even better than some of the other fried pies he had tasted.

Granny’s Fried Apple Pies are a mouth-watering, pastry delicacy oozing with apple pie filling that is irresistible to the taste buds from the first bite onward. Up here on the mountain fried pies aren’t glazed- something I added. I used my own homemade canned apple pie filling, but store bought pie filling would work just as well. Also for a different twist I sprinkled chopped pecans and added a teaspoon of Carmel Ice Cream topping in some of my fried pies. You can add raisins or other fruit fillings, mix-matching ingredients to make your own deluxe fried pies. This recipe of Granny’s Fried Apple Pies makes around twenty-one fried pies, will use close to two cans of apple pie filling, and takes about an hour and a half to do up.

Granny’s Fried Apple Pies

In a large bowl add:
3 c plain flour
1 c self-rising flour
½ c shortening
½ c margarine
Cut in the shortening and butter with two knives until crumbly.

Add and mix thoroughly until dough forms:
1½ c milk
1 egg
Roll out dough thin on a floured surface and cut into circles with the lid of a shortening can. Place one heaping tablespoon of apple pie filling on one side of a circle. Fold the circle in half and seal by pressing the end of a fork along the edge.

Heat together until it reaches sizzling temp in iron skillet then lower:
1 c shortening
½ stick of margarine
Place the fried pies in the hot grease and fry on both sides until golden brown. Add shortening and margarine as needed. Drain the fried pies on a platter lined with paper towels.

Glaze:
3 c powdered sugar
5 tb hot water
Mix together until smooth. Coat the top of the fried pies with glaze. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and serve hot or cold!

Dorcas Annette Walker is a freelance writer, author, columnist, and photographer from Jamestown, TN. If you have any cooking tips or favorite recipes you are welcome to contact me by mail at: Dorcas Walker, 929 Wildwood Lane, Jamestown, TN 38556 or email me at: dorcaswalker@yahoo.com. For more information about the Walker family and Dorcas’ books check out her website at: www.dorcasannettewalker.com or htpp://dorcasannettewalker.blogspot.com for other Creative Mountain Cookin recipes.