DEEP FRIED PECAN PIES

Serves: about 24 pies
Ingredients
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 5 tablespoons butter
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 (14.1-ounce) packages Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts
• vegetable oil for frying
• powdered sugar

Instructions
1. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, eggs, butter and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce the heat to a simmer and stir in the pecans. Simmer for about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
2. Bring the crusts to room temperature. Unroll one on a lightly floured surface and cut circles using a 4-inch circle cutter. Re-roll the dough and repeat until all of the dough has been used. You should end up with about 24 circles.
3. Place a heaping tablespoon of the pecan filling mixture in the center of a pie crust circle. Lightly moisten the edges of the crust with water, then fold the crust over, crimping the edges with a dinner fork. Repeat the process until all of the pie crusts have been used.
4. In a large dutch oven, heat about 1 inch oil in the bottom to 350 degrees F. Fry the pies in batches for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side – or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels then lightly dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm.