Fried Chocolate Pudding Hand Pies

INGREDIENTS

2 cups

half-and-half

8 oz

semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup

sugar

1/4 cup

cornstarch

2 tbsp

unsalted butter

2 cups

flour

1 tsp

baking powder

1/2 tsp

salt

6 tbsp

shortening, at room temperature

large egg, plus 1 beaten large egg white

5 tbsp

ice water

3 cups

vegetable oil, for frying

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Bake the hand pies in a 375 degrees oven for 25 minutes if you don't want to fry them, then dust with confectioners' sugar.

To prevent lumps, mix the cornstarch with the other ingredients before heating.

Test your oil temp by dropping in a pinch of dough -- the oil should sizzle immediately.

Use shortening instead of butter to make a tender yet sturdy dough that holds up to frying

Stir a little cocoa powder into the confectioners' sugar for a chocolatey dusting.