Easy Mince Pies

Easy Mince Pies
  • Author: Ainsley Harriott

Delight in the festive season with these homemade mini mince pies, filled with deliciously sweet mincemeat encased within a buttery almond-infused pastry. The warmth of orange zest adds a fragrant touch to these petite treats, perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season. Enjoy the joy of baking as you create these irresistible bite-sized goodies that are sure to bring comfort and cheer to all who indulge in them.

— Constant Cookbook

Ingredients

  • 140g/5oz cold butter
  • 225g/8oz plain flour
  • 50g/2oz ground almonds
  • 50g/2oz golden caster sugar
  • 1 orange
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1-2 tsp cold water
  • 280g/10oz good quality mincemeat
  • 1 egg
  • for dusting icing sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 200C/190C Fan/Gas 6.
  • Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture is a bit crumbly. Stir in the almonds, caster sugar, orange rind and salt .
  • Mix in the egg yolk and 1–2 teaspoons of water until it forms soft dough. Wrap in cling film or put it into a plastic bag and chill for 20–30 minutes.
  • Roll out the pastry to a thickness of 2–3mm and cut out about 18 rounds measuring 7.5cm/3in with a pastry cutter.
  • Place in lightly greased bun tins and spoon the mincemeat evenly into the pies.
  • Re-roll the leftover pastry and cut out round lids, stars or other festive shapes to fit on top of the mincemeat.
  • Lightly brush the pastry tops with the beaten egg and bake in the oven for 12–15 minutes until golden.
  • Remove from oven and leave for a few minutes before removing from tins and cooling on a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar to serve.

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Cook Time

30M

Prep Time

PT1H

Yield

Makes 18