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.