Nutella Hand Pies - Flaky, Chocolate Mini Pies

I've been holding back on one of my favorite recipes, and it's time to share it with you. Nutella Hand Pies are flaky, chocolate mini turnovers and are my "Go-To" for Bake Sales. There is almost always a zip-lock bag of these ready for baking in my freezer at all times. They are my most requested family treat (except for the Nutella Crack Pie). I've also made these with Apples, Cherries or Blueberries inside and added little fork marks on the outside to remember which is which. Once you get the hang of making these (which is ultra easy), you will be trying all kinds of fillings (savory and sweet.)My Grandmother and my Mom made something like these in the southern tradition of "fried pies". Grandma W used to make them from canned biscuits rolled out and apples marinated in sugar, juice and spices. Those will remain my favorites because I grew up eating them, and my Mom's will always be my favorites because they're, well... Mom's.These Nutella Hand Pies are made with homemade pastry that is extra flaky for a few reasons: 1- The butter is extra cold, even frozen and you grate it into the flour. 2- The wet ingredients are a mixture of sour cream and buttermilk. 3- The dough is chilled, rolled out, then chilled again before being rolled out again - which develops layers (a little like puff pastry has, but thicker.)The result is a pastry that almost melts just about the time the Nutella hits your mouth, too. These are perfect quick grabs for breakfast or brunch, but they make a nice little lunch addition to a picnic, a lunch box or an afternoon tea.Today is one of those fun "Lets Lunch" group postings that I've been doing with some blogging friends across the world. Each month we pick another food or theme, then we all post about it on the same day. It's our way of having lunch together no matter the time, distance or culture. At the bottom of this page, you will find a list of my buddies who are participating in today's lunch which is...PIES.

You will not believe how many different ideas you will see and can click over to from this one place. Be sure to take a look, and if you want to join us next time, just let me know (or look for our info on twitter under #LetsLunch)

RECIPE: Nutella Hand Pies (makes 12 -24 depending on size)

1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/4 cups All Purpose Flour
pinch of salt
6 oz. butter (keep in freezer for minimum 20 minutes)
1 egg (for an egg-wash before baking)
Nutella (1-2 Tbls. per hand pie)

1) In a small bowl, beat buttermilk, sour cream and sugar together.
2) In another bowl, sift in flour and salt, then grate butter into the flour and toss to coat and separate.
3) Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients lightly (using a fork), just until they clump together.
4) Empty onto a lightly floured board and pull ingredients into a ball and mash together once or twice just until it holds. (You should see the streaks of butter in the dough which means it will be nice and flaky.)5) Make two balls, wrap them in plastic wrap, press them down into a nice square about 4x4 and chill for 20-30 minutes (or overnight).
6) Remove one chilled dough at a time and roll out into a rectangle shape about 8x8. Fold into thirds like a letter, wrap in plastic and return to refrigerator to chill again for 20- 30 minutes.
7) Remove one chilled dough at a time to work with it. Roll it out thin, cut into circles. You can use any scraps left over to re-roll, but try to stack the pieces on top of each other to roll out to protect the buttery layers. Try to not over-work.
8) Brush a little water on the outsides rims of the circles, drop a dollop of Nutella in each one and fold over to seal. Press the edges closed with the tines of a fork.9) Once sealed, place on a parchment lined baking sheet, prick with the fork and brush with beaten egg. You can freeze them at this point (once they are frozen, bag them and bake later), or bake them in a preheated 350F oven for about 15-20 minutes depending on size. I hope you enjoy these. Everyone in my house loves them.

Don't forget to go over and look at all these great PIE ideas for today's Let's Lunch!

A Tiger In The Kitchen Japanese Curry Pot Pie

Zest Bakery - Lime-Custard & Curd Pie

Free Range Cookies - Dirt Pie with Compost Cookie Crust

Monday Morning Cooking Club - Pilaf Pie with Chicken, Sultanas & Sweet Spices

Chez Us -Summer Chicken Pot Pie

GrongarBlog - Spanakopita and Rhubarb Crisp

Hot Curries & Cold Beer - Pecan Pie with a twist

Beyond The Plate - Flaky Homemade Puff Pastry covered Chicken Pot Pie

Kitchen Dreamer - Chinese Sausage and Roasted Sweet Potato Hand Pies