Recipe for cooking southern fried chocolate pies

Desserts to Go with Coffee and Tea :: Perfect Pies

Southern Fried Chocolate Pies

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. vegetable shortening
1/3 c. cold water
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 c. (1 stick) cold margarine
Vegetable oil *

* Use peanut or safflower oil or solid vegetable shortening for frying.

Crust: sift flour and salt together; cut in the shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knifes, until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Add ice water a little at a time while tossing with a fork, until dough holds together. Do not get too moist. Roll out dough to 1/8 in. thick. Cut into circles about five in.es in diameter.

Mix cocoa powder with the sugar. Place 2 to 3 Tbsp. of this mixture onto one half of the circle and place 3 very thin slices of cold margarine on top. Fold opposite side over mixture and seal with a fork dipped in flour.

Pour oil to a depth of about 1/2 in. in a cast iron skillet. Heat over med.-high heat until very hot. Place pies in a single layer in oil and fry, turning to brown each side.

Serve hot, warm, or cold.