How to make mince pies

How to make mince pies is the question on our lips at Christmas.

An easy recipe for mince pies

150g butter

250g plain flour

50g ground almonds

50g caster sugar

1 orange

pinch of salt

1 happy egg

1-2 tsp cold water

280g/10oz good quality mincemeat

 

For the topping:

100g butter

75g plain flour

100g caster sugar

1tsp cinnamon powder

1 nutmeg

 

Place butter in freezer overnight.

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Put the flour into a mixing bowl. Using a cheese grater, grate the butter into the flour and add caster sugar, almonds, and salt; zest the orange and add, then gently stir with a wooden spoon to combine.

In a food processor, add the mixture, happy egg yolks and 1-2 teaspoons of water. Use a pulse action until it forms a soft dough, then place it in the fridge for 30 minutes, to chill.

Roll out the pastry to a thickness of a pound coin and with a round cookie cutter, cut out about 20 rounds.

In a non-stick tartlet baking tray, press the rounds into the tray and spoon the mincemeat evenly into the pies.

Make a crumble topping by quickly mixing the butter, flour, cinnamon and caster sugar in your food processor until it forms a crumble. Sprinkle the crumble over the pies, grate some nutmeg over the top and bake in the oven for 12 – 15 minutes until golden.

Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.