Saturday, 3 November 2012

Mince pies

Ingredients:

  • 150g/5oz butter, cut into pieces
  • 225g/8oz plain flour
  • 50g/2oz ground almonds
  • 25g/1oz caster sugar
  • a few drops of almond essence
  • grated zest of 1 orange
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 225g/8oz mincemeat
  • 1 egg white, lightly beaten



• Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6. Lightly grease a 12-hole bun tin or muffin pan.

• Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixtureresembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the almonds, sugar, almond essence, orange zest, egg yolk and 1 tablespoon water. Mix to forma firm dough. Knead briefly on a floured work surface, then wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

• Roll out thinly, and stamp out 12 rounds, about 7.5cm/3in, using apastry cutter. Use the pastry to line the holes in the bun tin. Spoon in the mincemeat to come two-thirds of the way up each hole. Use the remaining pastry to cut into seasonal shapes – such as holly leaves or Christmas trees – and place on top of the mincemeat.

• Bake for 20 minutes until crisp and golden brown. Serve warm with cream or brandy butter.

No comments:

Post a Comment