Half Moon Pie Recipe

How to make it

---

• For 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 inch thick.
• Cut into circles about five inches in diameter.
• To fill:
• Mix cocoa powder with the sugar.
• Place 2-3 tablespoons of this mixture onto one half of the circle
• Place 3 very thin slices of cold margarine on top.
• Fold opposite side over mixture and seal with a fork dipped in flour.
• To cook:
• Pour oil to a depth of about 1/2 inch in your skillet.
• Heat over medium-high heat until very hot.
• Place pies in a single layer in oil and fry until golden.
• Dust with powdered sugar if desired (you don't need it, but it makes them pretty)
• Note: It's best to use peanut or safflower oil or solid vegetable shortening for frying.. don't try to skimp and be all healthy here... you did (after all) decide to make a FRIED pie.
• Shortcut: If you don't want to make the crust yourself, you can also buy a can of biscuits at the store and roll those out, or make biscuit mix from a box (this way isn't quite the same, tho).