Description
This classic Mince Pie recipe blends a rich mix of dried fruits, spices, and suet simmered into a luscious homemade mincemeat, encased in a buttery, crumbly pastry. Each pie is optionally topped with a smooth cream cheese filling for added indulgence, then baked to golden perfection and dusted with icing sugar—perfect for festive celebrations or cozy winter treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Mincemeat
- 50g currants
- 50g sultanas
- 30g raisins
- 30g dried cranberries
- 30g dried apricots
- 1 lemon (zest only)
- 1 orange (zest and juice of 1/2 orange)
- 15g suet
- 1 apple (peeled and diced)
- 50g brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Pastry Dough
- 150g cold butter (grated)
- 240g plain flour
- 70g golden caster sugar
Cream Cheese Filling (Optional)
- 70g cream cheese
- 70g icing sugar
- 30g butter (room temperature, chopped into small cubes)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 lemon zest
Finishing and Decoration
- 1 egg (whisked for egg wash)
- Icing sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mincemeat: Place a small saucepan on low heat and add currants, sultanas, raisins, dried cranberries, apricots, lemon and orange zest, chopped apple, suet, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and suet melt and the fruit softens. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Optionally stir in 30ml of brandy once cooked. Set aside to cool.
- Make the Pastry Dough: Grate the cold butter into a large mixing bowl. Add the plain flour and rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the golden caster sugar and combine well.
- Form the Dough: Bring the mixture together by scrunching and compressing it with your hands until a firm, buttery dough forms. There is no need to add water.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling (Optional): In a separate bowl, add the cream cheese and icing sugar. Whisk together for a few minutes until smooth. Add the softened butter cubes, vanilla essence, and lemon zest, then whisk again until fully combined. Adjust to taste.
- Divide the Dough: Using weighing scales, divide the dough into nine portions of 45g each. Split each 45g portion into one 30g piece and one 15g piece to create dough pairs for the base and lids of the pies.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Tin: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or 390°F. Grease a 9-hole cupcake or mince pie baking tin with butter.
- Form Pie Cases: Place each 30g piece of dough into a hole in the baking tin. Using your fingers, gently press the dough up the sides and into the corners to form a case for the filling.
- Fill Pies: Spoon a heaped teaspoon of the cooled mincemeat into each dough case. Optionally, add a teaspoon of the cream cheese filling on top of the mincemeat.
- Create Pie Lids: Using a flat-bottomed glass, press each 15g dough piece under the glass to form a circular lid. Place each lid on top of the filled pie cases and gently press the edges to seal.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the tops of the pies with the whisked egg to give a golden finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until the pies are lightly golden and cooked through.
- Cool and Decorate: Remove the mince pies from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Dust generously with icing sugar before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Optional addition of 30ml brandy to the mincemeat adds depth of flavor and preserves the mixture longer.
- The cream cheese filling is optional but adds a creamy contrast to the sweet spiced mincemeat.
- Ensure the butter is cold and grated for a flakier pastry texture.
- Do not add water when forming the dough to maintain the buttery consistency.
- Use a flat-bottomed glass to create perfectly round pie lids for an even finish.
- Let the pies cool slightly before dusting with icing sugar to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: mince pie, mince pie recipe, Christmas mince pies, British mince pies, holiday dessert, festive baking
