Pastelitos Little Fruit Pies Southwest Recipes

PASTELITOS -- LITTLE FRUIT PIES (SOUTHWEST)

Steps:

• FOR THE FILLING: In a saucepan, put apricots in cold water & simmer gently until fruit is soft, about 30 minutes, then drain.
• In a food processor or blender, puree the apricots, then return the puree to the saucepan, add the brown sugar & cook until puree is very thick, about 8-10 minutes.
• Remove puree from heat, then add raisins & nuts, & set aside to cool.
• FOR THE DOUGH: While the puree is cooling, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder & salt, then cut in the butter & shortening until pea-size pieces form.
• Add just enough ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to make the flour stick together, then shape into a flattened ball, wrap in plastic & refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• When the dough is ready, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, then cut the flattened ball in half & roll one of the halves out on a GREASED baking sheet.
• Spread the fruit mixture on top, ALMOST to the edge.
• Roll out the second half of the dough large enough to cover the fruit mixture, then place it on top, before pressing the edges together all around to seal.
• In a small container, whisk together the 1/3 cup of sugar & 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, then sprinkle that on top of the prepared pastry. Finally, with the blunt edge of a table knife, mark the pastry into small squares & prick each square with a fork ~ There should be about 30 small squares marked off.
• Bake about 20 minutes, or until pastry is lightly browned, then cool & cut into the marked squares.

GRANDS LITTLE FRUIT PIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon.
• With pastry blender or fork cut in butter or margarine until mixture coarse crumbs.
• Separate dough into 8 pieces; split each biscuit in half.
• With floured fingers, flatten each biscuit to form 4" round.
• Press each biscuit in ungresed 2-3/4 x 4 x 1-/4" muffin cup.
• Spoon 2 tablespoons pie filling into each biscuit-lined cup.
• Sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons flour mixture (cups will be full).
• Bake for 15-22 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cool 5 minutes.
• Remove from muffin cups; place on wire rack, cool for 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
• Top each serving with dollop of whiiping cream; sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
• Store in refrigerator.