Blogmas Day 6 - Mince Pie Recipe

Hey guys!  So I have another juicy recipe for you today, and it's for homemade mince pies :D  Much like the mulled wine recipe, I can't take credit for this, nor have I tried it out (my oven died about 6 months ago and .... well, we haven't gotten it fixed yet, I know, bad Pixi3).  But these had very good reviews, seems like a very popular recipe, and I love the simple ingredients, what I can add to the mix (see what I did there?) is a family recipe tip at the end :)

image credit we heart it

Ingredients

225g cold butter , diced
350g plain flour
100g golden caster sugar
280g mincemeat
1 small egg
icing sugar , to dust

Method

1) To make the pastry, rub 225g cold, diced butter into 350g plain flour, then mix in 100g golden caster sugar and a pinch of salt. Combine the pastry into a ball - don't add liquid - and knead it briefly. The dough will be fairly firm, like shortbread dough. You can use the dough immediately, or chill for later.

2) Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole patty tins, by pressing small walnut-sized balls of pastry into each hole. Spoon 280g mincemeat into the pies.

3) Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, big enough to cover the pies. Top the pies with their lids, pressing the edges gently together to seal - you don't need to seal them with milk or egg as they will stick on their own. (The pies may now be frozen for up to 1 month).

4) Beat 1 small egg and brush the tops of the pies. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack. To serve, lightly dust with icing sugar. They will keep for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

Irish Family recipe tip

Now, here's the family recipe tip - I have an auntie (Linda is her name), and she's a fantastic cook.  I go to Ireland most years to spend with my family, and this one year, must have been... 4-5 years ago, she'd made homemade mince pies, and they were the best I'd ever tasted.  The secret, she'd grated the zest of oranges into the pastry, it gave such a delicious edge to the mince pies, it was perfect :)  So, that's my family tip for you <3  If you try adding the orange zest, let me know how you like them :)

This months big pixi3 advertiser is the lovely Anastasia from Fashion Ramble - be sure to head over to check out her beautiful blog <3