Blueberry Hand Pies

These sweet and fruit-full pastries can be served anytime and anywhere, thanks to their convenient portability.

Blueberry Hand Pies

Yield: 8 hand pies.

Ingredients:

   Pastry

•     2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
•     1/2 teaspoon salt
•     1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•     1 cup (16 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter
•     1/2 cup cold sour cream

   Filling

•     2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
•     1/4 cup sugar
•     1 tablespoon Instant ClearJel
•     2 teaspoons lemon juice

   Topping

•     1 large egg, beaten
•     white sparkling sugar, for garnish

Directions:

1. To make the dough: Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the butter, working it in to make a coarse/crumbly mixture. Leave most of the butter in large, pea-sized pieces.
2. Stir in the sour cream; the dough won't be cohesive. Turn it out onto a floured work surface, and bring it together with a few quick kneads.
3. Pat the dough into a rough log, and roll it into an 8" x 10" rectangle. Dust both sides of the dough with flour, and starting with a shorter end, fold it in three like a business letter.
4. Flip the dough over, give it a 90° turn on your work surface, and roll it again into an 8" x 10" rectangle. Fold it in three again.
5. Wrap the dough, and chill for at least 30 minutes before using.
6. To make the filling: Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan set over medium heat. Cook until the mixture starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked berries to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
7. Preheat the oven to 425°F; place a rack on the middle shelf. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. To assemble the pies: Roll the dough into a 14" x 14" square. With a straight edge and pastry wheel, or a 3 1/2" square cutter, cut out sixteen 3 1/2" squares.
9. Divide the filling among eight of the squares, using about a heaping tablespoon for each. Brush some of the beaten egg along the edges of each filled square.
10. Cut a vent into the each of the remaining eight squares, using a decorative cutter of your choice.
11. Top each filled square with a vented square, and press along the edges with the tines of a fork or a pie crust crimper to seal.
12. Brush the top of each pie with the remaining beaten egg, and sprinkle with sparkling sugar. Transfer the pies to the prepared baking sheet.
13. Bake the pies for 18 to 20 minutes. Remove them from the oven, and let cool for 20 minutes before serving.

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