Christmas 2023: Kick off the silly season with these delicious mince pies

‘Tis the season for culinary magic, and we invite you to embark on a delectable journey with our Christmas mince pie recipe. Steeped in the rich traditions of the holiday season, these pies are a symphony of flavors, blending festive spices, sweet fruits, and buttery pastry.

As the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg fills your kitchen, you’ll be transported to a world where each bite encapsulates the spirit of Christmas.

Ingredients

Mincemeat filling

• 1 cup currants
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup sultanas
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/2 cup mixed candied peel, finely chopped
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 cup brandy or rum (optional)

Pastry

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2-3 tablespoons ice-cold water

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Instructions

Mincemeat filling

1. In a large bowl, combine currants, raisins, sultanas, dried apricots, mixed candied peel, orange zest, lemon zest, orange juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
2. Mix well and let it sit for at least a few hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
3. If desired, stir in brandy or rum for an extra festive touch.

For the Pastry

1. In a food processor, pulse together flour, butter, and powdered sugar until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2. Add the beaten egg and pulse again.
3. Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, knead it briefly until smooth, then wrap it in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Assembling the Mince Pies

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.
3. Using a round cookie cutter, cut out circles to line the base of a muffin tin.
4. Press the pastry circles into the tin.
5. Fill each pastry case with a spoonful of the mincemeat filling.
6. Roll out more pastry and cut out slightly smaller circles or shapes to create lids for the pies.
7. Place the lids on top of the mincemeat filling, pressing the edges to seal.
8. Optional: Make a small slit in the top of each pie for steam to escape.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown.
10. Allow the mince pies to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
11. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Enjoy these Christmas mince pies with a cup of tea or as a delightful festive treat! ????