Winter Fruit Pie Food

DEEP-DISH WINTER FRUIT PIE WITH WALNUT CRUMB

Steps:

• To make the pie pastry, put the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl, stir to combine, then put the bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes.
• Add the butter to the flour mixture and toss to evenly coat. Cut the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender, a food processor, an electric mixer, or your hands, just until the mixture becomes coarse and crumbly and the butter is the size of peas. Stir the water and lemon juice together, then pour over the dry ingredients and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened.
• Dump the dough onto a well-floured work surface and press it into a 6-inch disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Roll the chilled dough into a 14-inch disk, then line a 9 or 10 by 3-inch springform pan with the rolled-out dough. Patch any holes and trim off any dough that hangs over the edges of the pan. Chill for an additional 30 minutes while you prepare the crumb topping and the fruit filling.
• To make the walnut crumb topping, mix the flour, brown sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl. Stir in the butter, then work it in with your hands until the texture of crumbs. Put the topping in the refrigerator while you make the fruit filling.
• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F.
• To make the fruit filling, remove the stem from each fig, then boil the figs in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Slice each fig into 4 to 5 pieces, put them in a large bowl, and add the apples, pears, and cranberries. Separately, rub the sugar and cornstarch together, then add to the fruit and gently toss until evenly coated.
• Transfer the filling to the pie shell and top with the walnut crumb. Bake in the lower third of the oven for 60 to 75 minutes, or until the crumb is golden, the fruit juices are bubbling thickly around the edges, and the fruit is tender when pierced with a wooden skewer. If the crumb is getting too dark, cover it with foil.
• Storage: Covered with a tea towel, the pie will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. Spooned into a bowl and drizzled with chilled cream, it makes a wonderful breakfast.

GERMAN FRUIT PIE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together. Pour into 2 unbaked pie shells (deep shells don't work as well) Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

FRUIT FOLDOVERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix the flour, white sugar and salt. Cut in the cream cheese and the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work dough with hands until it holds together. Divide dough into four balls, wrap in wax paper and refrigerate for 2 hours or until dough is firm
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• On a lightly floured surface roll one of the dough balls into a 10 inch circle. Use a 3 inch cutter to cut the dough into circles. Place 1/2 teaspoon of pie filling in the center of each circle. Moisten edge of dough and fold over. Seal edge by pressing with the tines of a fork dipped in flour. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Once cool drizzle with glaze.
• To Make Glaze: Combine the confectioners' sugar, rum flavoring, water and corn syrup. Mix until smooth. Keep covered until ready to use.