mince pies christmas recipe

Written ByJenny Smyth Posted on
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The Best mince pies christmas recipe

I’m so excited to share my favorite mince pies Christmas recipe with you all. As a busy mom of three, I’m always on the lookout for delicious and easy-to-make recipes that my family will love. Mince pies are a classic British dessert that’s perfect for the holiday season.

The combination of sweet and tangy flavors, along with the flaky pastry crust, makes them a true delight. I remember making these with my own mom when I was a kid, and now I love sharing the tradition with my own children. It’s amazing how a simple pastry can evoke such warm and cozy feelings, isn’t it?

The aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg wafting through the house is sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit. My kids can’t get enough of the sweet filling and crunchy pastry, and I have to admit, neither can I! What makes this recipe truly special is the fact that it’s incredibly easy to make ahead of time, which is perfect for busy holiday schedules.

Simply prepare the filling and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake the pies. This way, you can enjoy your freshly baked treats without all the fuss. As a bonus, these pies freeze beautifully, making them an excellent choice for a post-holiday meal or snack.

Just be sure to thaw them at room temperature or reheat in the oven before serving.

Classic Christmas Mince Pies

4.5 from 1143 votes

Classic Christmas mince pies are a festive treat, filled with a rich fruity mincemeat and topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel topping. These mini pies are perfect for holiday gatherings and make a delightful gift when packaged in a decorative tin.

Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time55 mins
Servings: 12Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 250 kcal

🥘Ingredients

For the Pastry

200g plain flour
100g unsalted butter, cold and cubed
50g icing sugar
1 egg yolk
1-2 tbsp cold water

For the Mincemeat Filling

200g mincemeat
1 tbsp brandy
1 tbsp orange zest

For the Streusel Topping

75g plain flour
50g cold unsalted butter, cubed
50g demerara sugar

👨‍🍳Directions

1To make the pastry, combine flour and sugar in a bowl.
2Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
3Stir in the egg yolk and add water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together.
4Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
5Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan).
6On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry thinly, about 3mm thick.
7Use a round cutter, approximately 7.
5cm in diameter, to cut out circles of pastry.
8Press these into a greased 12-hole muffin tin, ensuring the pastry lines the bottom and sides of each hole.
9To prepare the filling, mix the mincemeat with brandy and orange zest in a bowl until well combined.
10Spoon a generous amount of the mincemeat mixture into each pastry-lined muffin cup, filling them about 3/4 full.
11To make the streusel topping, combine flour and sugar in a bowl.
12Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
13Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the mincemeat filling in each pie.
14Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbling around the edges.
15Remove from the oven and let the mince pies cool in the tin for 5 minutes.
16After cooling, carefully remove the mince pies from the tin and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

🔧Equipment

Mixing bowl
Baking sheet
Pastry brush
Pie tin
Oven

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 250 kcal🧈Total Fat: 14g💛Saturated Fat: 8g❤️Cholesterol: 40mg🧂Sodium: 100mg🌾Total Carbs: 30g🥦Dietary Fiber: 2g🍬Sugars: 18g🥩Protein: 2g

📝Notes

Tips: For a boozy twist, add a splash of rum or brandy to the mincemeat filling. You can also make the pastry and streusel topping in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Watch Video Of How Classic Christmas Mince Pies Works

These mince pies are always a good idea for any occasion – whether it’s a holiday gathering or just a cozy night in with family. They’re incredibly easy to make ahead of time and freeze beautifully, making them perfect for busy schedules.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how versatile it is – you can serve them as a dessert or snack at room temperature or reheat them in the oven for an extra-special treat. The combination of sweet and tangy flavors with the flaky pastry crust is simply irresistible.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Mince Pies

Q: What is mincemeat?

Mincemeat is a sweet mixture of chopped dried fruit, nuts, and spices that’s traditionally used as a filling for pastries like mince pies.

Q: Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?

While you can use fresh fruit, it’s not recommended as it will make the filling too wet and may affect the texture of the pie.

Q: How do I store leftover mincemeat?

You can store leftover mincemeat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months or freeze it for up to 6 months.

Q: Can I make these pies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake the pies.

Q: Are mince pies healthy?

Mince pies are a treat and should be consumed in moderation due to their high sugar content. However, they do contain some beneficial ingredients like fiber-rich fruits and spices that offer various health benefits.

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