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Mince Pies

Mince Pies

Mince pies are a classic British treat, especially popular around Christmas. They’re small, sweet pastries filled with mincemeat, a mixture of dried fruits, spices, and often a splash of brandy or rum. Here’s a basic recipe for making mince pies:

Ingredients:

For the Pastry:

  • 1 1/4 cups (150 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1-2 tbsp cold water (as needed)

For the Mincemeat Filling:

  • 1 1/2 cups (300 g) store-bought or homemade mincemeat (see below for a simple recipe)
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) chopped almonds or walnuts (optional)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp brandy or rum (optional)

For the Pastry Lids:

  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Icing sugar (for dusting)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Pastry:
    • In a large bowl, sift the flour and add the cold butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
    • Stir in the sugar.
    • Add the egg yolk and mix until combined. Add cold water a little at a time until the dough just comes together.
    • Gather the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Prepare the Mincemeat Filling:
    • If using store-bought mincemeat, you can skip this step. If you want to make your own, mix dried fruits, nuts, spices, and a splash of brandy or rum. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight to meld the flavors.
  3. Assemble the Pies:
    • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
    • Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Use a round cutter (about 3 inches in diameter) to cut out dough circles. These will be the bases of your pies.
    • Grease a muffin tin and press the dough circles into the tin to form the pie bases.
    • Spoon a small amount of mincemeat filling into each pie shell. If desired, mix in some chopped nuts and lemon zest.
    • Roll out the remaining dough and cut out smaller circles or shapes to form the pies’ lids. Place the lids on top of the filled bases and press the edges together to seal.
    • Brush the tops with beaten egg and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
  4. Finish and Serve:
    • Allow the pies to cool slightly before removing them from the tin.
    • Dust with icing sugar before serving.

Enjoy your mince pies with a cup of tea or coffee!

 

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