Fried Chocolate Pudding Hand Pies

These chocolate pudding pockets will have everyone eating out of your hand!


Fried Chocolate Pudding Hand Pies

Makes: 6 servings
Ingredients:

• 2 cups half-and-half
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons shortening, at room temperature
• 1 large egg, plus 1 beaten large egg white
• 5 tablespoons ice water
• 3 cups vegetable oil, for frying
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Instructions:

1. In a heavy, medium saucepan, combine the half-and-half, chocolate, granulated sugar and cornstarch. Bring just to a boil over medium heat and cook, whisking, until thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Let cool slightly, then press plastic wrap onto the surface to cover. Refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder and salt. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, mix in the shortening until coarse crumbs form. In a small bowl, beat together the whole egg and ice water. Stir into the flour mixture with a fork until the dough comes together. Divide into 6 even balls.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball of dough into a 6-inch-wide disk. Brush a 1/2-inch border of the beaten egg white around each rim. Spoon 1/3 cup of the chilled pudding in the center of each disk, spreading slightly. Fold the dough over the filling to cover, press the edges to seal, then crimp with a fork. Transfer to a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to fry.
4. In a deep, heavy 9- to 10-inch skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it registers 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Add 2 pies at a time and fry, turning 2 to 3 times, until deep golden, about 3 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes, then dust with the confectioners' sugar.

Tip

• Bake the hand pies in a 375 degrees oven for 25 minutes if you don't want to fry them, then dust with confectioners' sugar.
• To prevent lumps, mix the cornstarch with the other ingredients before heating.
• Test your oil temp by dropping in a pinch of dough -- the oil should sizzle immediately.
• Use shortening instead of butter to make a tender yet sturdy dough that holds up to frying
• Stir a little cocoa powder into the confectioners' sugar for a chocolatey dusting.

Source: http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/dessert-recipes/fried-chocolate-pudding-hand-pies

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