Mince pies

Delicious Mince Pies Recipe for the Festive Season

Mince pies are a quintessential part of Christmas in the UK and beyond. These sweet, spiced pastries filled with mincemeat evoke the warmth and coziness of the holiday season. Making your own mince pies from scratch is a rewarding endeavor that brings the festive spirit to your kitchen. Here's a simple yet delicious recipe to create homemade mince pies.

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Ingredients:

For the Pastry:

250g (about 2 cups) all-purpose flour

125g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cold and diced

A pinch of salt

Cold water, about 2-3 tablespoons

For the Mincemeat Filling:

350g (about 1 1/2 cups) mincemeat (store-bought or homemade)

Optional: 1-2 tablespoons brandy or rum

Instructions:

Making the Pastry:

In a large mixing bowl, add the cold diced butter to the flour and a pinch of salt.

Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

Form the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This rest period allows the pastry to become firm and easier to roll out.

Assembling the Mince Pies:

Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).

Roll out the chilled pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 3mm thickness.

Use a round pastry cutter to cut out circles for the bases and a slightly smaller cutter for the tops. You should have enough for 12 bases and 12 tops.

Line a muffin tin with the pastry bases, gently pressing them into the cups.

Mix the mincemeat with the optional brandy or rum for extra flavor.

Spoon a generous teaspoon of mincemeat filling into each pastry case.

Moisten the edges of the pastry bases with a little water and place the pastry tops on each pie. You can leave them plain or make a small slit on the top for steam to escape.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown and crisp.

Remove the mince pies from the oven and let them cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoying Your Homemade Mince Pies:

Mince pies are best served warm, dusted with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. You can also enjoy them with a dollop of brandy butter, whipped cream, clotted cream, or custard.

These homemade mince pies are sure to fill your home with the delightful aromas of Christmas. Share them with family and friends or leave a plate out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. However you choose to enjoy them, these mince pies are a wonderful way to embrace the holiday season with a touch of homemade goodness.