Clodagh McKenna's Christmas Mince Pies
Ingredients
For the Mincemeat:
- 1 1/2 cups sultanas (golden raisins)
- 1 1/3 cups packed currants
- 1 1/2 cups raisins
- 3/4 cups chopped dried prunes
- 1 3/4 cups soft brown sugar
- 2 apples, around 2 cups, grated
- 1 stick plus 7 tablespoons butter, chilled and grated
- 3 oranges, zested and juiced
- Rounded 1/3 cup chopped almonds
- Rounded 1/3 cup chopped pecan nuts
- 3 teaspoons mixed spice
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- A good splash of brandy
For the sweet short crust pastry:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 stick chilled unsalted butter, cubed
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon powder sugar
- 1 medium egg, beaten
For the egg wash:
- 2 eggs, beaten
For dusting:
- Powdered sugar
Preparation
Preheat oven to 275°F.
Mix all the mincemeat ingredients together in a large bowl then transfer the mincemeat to a casserole dish. Transfer to the oven and cook for 2 hours. Once cooked, leave to cool then transfer to sterile jars. You’ll need 9 ounces for the pie.
Using your hands, transfer the pastry from the food processor out onto a work surface and flatten out the ball of dough until it is about an inch thick. Wrap in cling film or place in a plastic bag and leave in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill.
Once the pastry has chilled, preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush a shallow 24-hole cupcake baking tin with melted butter and set aside.
On a floured work surface, roll out the pastry to 1/4-inch thick and, using a large (around 5 1/2 inches), round, cookie cutter, cut out 12 circles for the bases. Then use a smaller star cutter to cut out 12 circles/stars for the lids.
Line the holes of the buttered cupcake baking tin with the pastry bases. Fill each base with a teaspoon of mincemeat and top with a pastry star. Brush the tops of the mince pies with the beaten egg.
Place in the pre-heated oven for 15-20 minutes, until golden on top and browned around the edges. Let cool slightly, the dust with sugar.