Xmas is my favourite time of year and what makes it special is making homemade mince pies for family and friends using my mom's recipe - I always get compliments on the pastry and the fact that they are bite size.
I thought I would share it with everyone again - so enjoy.
Christmas Mince Pies (Mom’s recipe)
Pastry
250g flour
A pinch of salt
180g butter
15ml castor sugar
1 egg yolk
25ml – 37.5ml chilled water
Filing
500g fruit mince
Finishing
1 egg lightly beaten
Castor sugar
Method
- Sift flour and salt.
- Rub butter into flour.
- Stir in caster sugar.
- Beat egg and water lightly.
- Work egg and water into flour with knife to form firm dough.
- Refrigerate dough covered for ½ hour.
- Roll dough out on floured surface.
- Lightly butter the baking tray. I use a shallow baking tray as I prefer bite sized mince pies.
- Find 2 different sized cutters (one for the base and the other for the top). Cut an equal number of tops and bottoms. As I live in a hot climate – I often put the çut tops and bottoms into the fridge so that they don’t get too soft.
- I find that the shop bought fruit mince is often a little boring and too sweet. So I buy some flaked almonds and crush them, also some extra dried fruit and maybe a couple of glace cherries. I then chop and add to the standard fruit mince. I have been known to add a little brandy as well!
A trick is not to overfill the bottoms.
Once the bottoms are filled – place a top on each pie. Use a fork to poke some holes in each pie so that they can breathe during the cooking process.
Then using a pastry brush, lightly brush the egg over each pie and then sprinkle some caster sugar on top. Pop into the oven (preheated to 180 degrees celsius) and cook for approximately 20 - 25 minutes. Leave to cool for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
They can be served hot or cold - just warm up in the microwave. Use a sieve to sprinkle some icing sugar on top just before serving.