Traditional Mince Pies

Tammy Smith

Traditional mince pies have a short, buttery pastry shell filled with spiced mincemeat — a mixture of dried fruits, warm spices, and a little fat. They are a staple of British holiday baking and take roughly 45 minutes to prepare and bake.

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Prep Time 1

Cook Time 25

Total Time 1 25

Course Dessert

Cuisine British

Servings pies

Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

Oven
Rolling pin
12-cup Muffin Tin
Pastry Cutter
Mixing Bowl
Cooling Rack

Ingredients

Pastry

2 cups all-purpose flour preferably unbleached
0.5 teaspoons salt
0.5 cups unsalted butter cold, diced
0.25 cups shortening cold
4 tablespoons water ice-cold

Mincemeat Filling

1 cup mincemeat store-bought or homemade
1 tablespoon brandy optional
1 egg egg lightly beaten, for egg wash
¼ cup powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Pastry Preparation

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 0.5 teaspoons of salt.
Add 0.5 cups of cold, diced unsalted butter and 0.25 cups of cold shortening. Use a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Gradually add 4 tablespoons of ice-cold water, stirring until the dough comes together. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Assembling the Pies

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Roll out the chilled pastry on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut circles using a pastry cutter to fit your muffin tin.
Press the pastry circles into a 12-cup muffin tin.
Mix 1 cup of mincemeat with 1 tablespoon brandy, if using, and spoon the mixture into the pastry-lined muffin cups.
Cut smaller circles or festive shapes for the tops of the pies and place them on the filled cups.
Brush lightly with a beaten egg for a golden finish.

Baking

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.
Let the pies cool on a cooling rack before dusting with powdered sugar.

Notes

Tammy’s Tips

For a deeper flavor, consider aging homemade mincemeat at least a week before use.
Substitute brandy with apple juice for a non-alcoholic version.
If the dough seems dry, add water in small increments to achieve the right consistency.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 232mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 346IUCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Holiday Treats, Mince Pies

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