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To make fried pies with fresh peaches, you’ll want to start by preparing a sweet, spiced filling and a simple, flaky dough that holds up beautifully when fried.
Fresh peaches are the star here, and when they’re in season, there’s simply nothing better for making fried pies with fresh peaches that taste like a summer day.
The process is straightforward, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll be making fried pies with fresh peaches all season long.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make fried pies with fresh peaches, from peeling and cooking the fruit to frying them to golden perfection.
Let’s dive in.
How to Make Fried Pies with Fresh Peaches: The Filling
The key to great fried pies with fresh peaches is a filling that’s thick enough to hold up inside the dough without leaking.
Here’s how to get that perfect peach filling.
1. Choose and Peel Your Peaches
When you make fried pies with fresh peaches, start with ripe but firm fruit.
Peel about 4 to 5 medium peaches by dropping them in boiling water for 30 seconds, then transferring them to an ice bath.
The skins will slip right off, making the filling smooth and tender.
2. Cook the Peaches Down
Slice the peeled peaches and toss them in a saucepan with ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
Cook over medium heat until the peaches release their juices and soften, about 10 minutes.
This step is essential when you make fried pies with fresh peaches because it concentrates the flavor and removes excess liquid.
3. Thicken with a Slurry
Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir it into the simmering peaches.
Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg if you like warm spice.
Cook for another 2 minutes until the mixture is glossy and thick.
Let it cool completely before filling your dough, otherwise your fried pies with fresh peaches will turn out soggy.
Making the Dough for Fried Pies with Fresh Peaches
The dough for fried pies with fresh peaches is a simple, sturdy pastry that fries up crisp and golden.
Here’s the recipe.
1. Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
2. Cut in the Shortening
Add ⅓ cup cold vegetable shortening or lard, and cut it in with a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
Using shortening helps the fried pies with fresh peaches stay tender, not tough.
3. Add Liquid and Form the Dough
Stir in ½ cup cold milk (or buttermilk) until a soft dough forms.
Wrap it in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
This rest makes the dough easier to roll when you make fried pies with fresh peaches.
Assembling and Frying Your Fried Pies with Fresh Peaches
Now comes the fun part.
1. Roll and Cut the Dough
On a floured surface, roll the dough to about ⅛-inch thickness.
Cut out 5-inch circles using a cookie cutter or a small bowl.
You should get about 10 circles for your fried pies with fresh peaches.
2. Fill and Seal
Place 2 tablespoons of cooled peach filling on one half of each circle.
Fold the dough over and press the edges with a fork to seal.
Be careful not to overfill, or your fried pies with fresh peaches will burst in the oil.
3. Fry Until Golden
Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 375°F (190°C).
Fry the pies, two or three at a time, for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deeply golden brown.
Drain on paper towels, then dust with powdered sugar while warm.
That’s how you make fried pies with fresh peaches that are crispy outside and jammy inside.
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use watery filling, or your fried pies with fresh peaches will leak and splatter.
Also, keep the oil at a steady 375°F; too low and the pies soak up grease, too high and they burn before the dough cooks through.
And always let the filling cool before sealing the dough, a hot filling will melt the pastry and ruin your fried pies with fresh peaches.
So, How Do You Make Fried Pies with Fresh Peaches?
You make fried pies with fresh peaches by cooking a thick, spiced peach filling, preparing a simple shortening-based dough, sealing the filling inside, and frying the pies until golden.
Fresh peaches are the star here, and when they’re in season, there’s simply nothing better for making fried pies with fresh peaches that taste like a summer day.
Hope this post has helped you explore how to make fried pies with fresh peaches and the best ways to get them crispy and delicious every time.