Strawberry Picnic Pies

Ingredients:

1 recipe sweet butter pie dough (see below if needed)

3 c. fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

powdered sugar for dusting



2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Turbinado sugar for sprinkling



Directions

-Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment.

-In medium bowl, combine strawberries, granulated sugar and lemon juice and set aside.

-Turn dough out onto a powdered sugar-dusted work surface and cut pie dough in half (rewrap other half and place back in fridge to stay cold).

-Roll one half of pie dough out about 1/8 in thickness. Using round pastry cutter (or trace knife around small plate), cut out about 5-6 inch rounds.

-Place round onto baking sheet and place about 2-3 Tbsp strawberry mixture into center.

-Using pastry brush dipped in a small amount of egg, brush the edge of half of the round.

-Fold dry edge onto egg brushed half, forming semicircle shape, and press edges together to seal with the tines of a fork.

-Brush the top of the pie with egg mixture and sprinkle with sugar.

-Use a small knife to make a 1 inch slit in the top of the pie for steam to escape.

-Repeat with remaining pastry dough.

-Place in oven and bake until tops are beginning to turn golden brown, about 20 minutes.

-Let cool on sheets for 7-10 mins and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

-Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 10-12

Sweet Butter Pie Dough



Ingredients:

2 1/2 c. unbleached all-purpose flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp lemon zest

2 sticks (1 c.) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4 in pieces

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

6-8 Tbsp cold buttermilk (whole milk with a dash of fresh lemon juice can be subbed)

powdered sugar for dusting



Directions:

-In small bowl, combine vanilla and buttermilk, stir to combine and set aside.

-In large bowl, add flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest and whisk to combine.

-Use pastry cutter or two knives to cut butter into flour mixture until resembles course meal or just until all pieces are less than pea-sized.

-Add buttermilk mixture and stir in until dough comes together.

-Transfer dough to powdered sugar-dusted work surface and shape into flat disk.

-Wrap disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.