Christmas Mince Pies
Christmas would not be Christmas without mince pies. Mince pies do not actually contain minced meat but as you will see from the recipe, they are pies containing a rich mince mixture of fruit, nuts, spices and fat. Mince pies at Christmas originated in England and are widely enjoyed in the run up to Christmas. This recipe is for small mince pies. Christmas mince pies often have a star on top, depicting the Christmas star that led the Magi and Shepherds to baby Jesus. The recipe for these mince pies allows a little extra pastry to cut out star shaped pastry pieces if wished. While eating the first mince pie of the season, it’s traditional to make a wish. This recipe should make 16 pies. A muffin tin is ideal for baking the mince pies.
Recipe ingredients for Christmas mince pies
1/2 lb raisins
1/2 lb sultanas
1/4 lb currants
2 oz candied peel
2 oz chopped almonds
1/2 lb butter
1/2 lb soft brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
grated zest & juice of 1 lemon
grated zest & juice of 1 orange
3 tablespoons cognac.
Recipe method for making the mince - Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
Recipe ingredients for pie pastry
1 lb prepared short crust pastry
I egg beaten with a dessertspoon of milk for glazing
Fine/Icing sugar for dusting
Method for making pie pastry
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
Roll out 2/3 of the pastry to roughly 1/8 inch thick for each pie. Keep the left over trimmings for star shapes
Cut pastry into rounds large enough to fit the hollows in the muffin tin. Spoon enough mince pie mixture to almost fill each hollow.
Roll out remaining pastry to again, roughly 1/8 inch thick to make tops to cover the mince pie filling. Place one on top of each pie. Place star cutouts on top of this if wished. Brush the entire surface of each mince pie with the egg/milk glaze.
Place in centre oven for 30 minutes, until the Christmas mince pies are golden brown on top. Remove and shake a little fine sugar over them while still warm.
Serve Christmas mince pies warm with brandy sauce/butter or whipped cream. The mince pies can also be stored in an airtight tin or frozen for future use.