Truly Scrumptious: Mince Pies

One of my own to get you in the spirit...

My Very Own Mince Pie Recipe:


Makes: around 18 (depending on size)
Preparation time: around an hour

Ingredients

• 140g cold butter, cut up into cubes
• Pinch of salt
  
  
  225g plain flour
• 50g ground almonds
• 50g golden caster sugar

• Filling can be stored in fridge if to be used later

  1 orange zest
• 1 egg yolk + 1 egg, beaten
• 1-2 tsp cold water
• 280g good quality mincemeat: simple pre-made filling
• + Extra Icing sugar for dusting
  

  
  

  Preparation method

  
  

1. Preheat oven to 200C. Grease muffin tins. 
2. Rub the butter into the flour and add the almonds, caster sugar, orange zest and salt between your fingers until the mixture is crumbly. 

1. Cutting dough with cup for the un-civilized... use a pastry cutter if not.

Cutting dough with cup for the
un-civilized... use a pastry cutter
if not.

1. Combine with the egg yolk and 1-2 teaspoons of water until soft dough is formed, then leave in fridge in plastic bag for 20-3- minutes. This hardens the dough.
2. Meanwhile, roll out the pastry till thin and cut out around 18 circles measuring, using either a pastry cutter (if you're civilised) or a cup (if you're like me) :D Remember to leave some pastry for the tops.
3. Shape dough into size of tins and spoon filling into centres.
4. With the leftover pastry, cut out round lids, cups, stars or other festive shapes to fit over the fillings. You can even engrave your initials or company slogan. Use dough-cutters or, if you have a lot of time on your hands, cut nice shapes using a knife.

1. Lightly brush the pastry tops with beaten egg and bake in oven for 12 - 15 minutes or until golden (I always tend to burn mine so KEEP AN EYE OUT).

2. 

   For some reason, when I asked my

   mum she decided to use puff pastry

   "'cos it was going out of date".

   DON'T USE PUFF PASTRY!

   Remove from oven, before removing and cooling on a wire rack. When left in trays, dough gets soggy and tastes... not-as-great-if-you-know-what-I-mean.
3. Dust with icing sugar.

   

   If you cba to add tops

   
   
   When stored in freezer, mince pies can last months. If left out, up to 3 weeks.
   
   
   1. 1. Yours,
         Truly xx
   
   

   
   
   
   P.S. I'm sorry: I don't have the slightest clue why on earth this bit has gone all weird and messed up- but who gives?