I’ve never made Mince Pies before but this year I thought I would make some to give as a gift and to enjoy at home.  When I tried to get the right size cutters I drew a blank so they’re not as neat as I’d hoped they would be but I guess that just adds to the rustic homemade charm.

I looked at several different recipes and this is the one which I liked the sound of the best, it’s from Ainsley Harriot and I found it on the BBC food website.  It’s a little bit cheaty since it uses shop bought mincemeat, but I decided that conquering the shortcrust pastry was enough of a challenge for this year so maybe next time I’ll try making the mincemeat too!

According to Ainsley this makes 18 but I think my muffin tray must be much deeper than his as I only got 12.  I also refridgerated the pastry overnight in a zip lock bag and that may have contributed to my pastry cracking quite alot.  All in all though I thought it was a pretty sucessful first try.  Give them a try and see what you think.

MINCE PIES (Makes 12-18)

INGREDIENTS

• 140g Cold butter, diced
• 225g/8oz plain flour
• 50g/2oz ground almonds
• 50g/2oz golden caster sugar
• 1 orange, zest only
• pinch of salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 1-2 tsp cold water
• 280g/10oz good quality mincemeat
• 1 egg, beaten
• icing sugar for dusting

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Rub the butter into the flour until it forms something which looks similar to breadcrumbs.  Add the sugar, ground almonds, orange rind and salt and mix well through.
3. Add the egg yolk and 1-2 teaspoons of water, mix until the mixture forms a soft dough.  Place into the fridge in a plastic bag for 30 minuted to chill and allow to relax.
4. Roll out the pastry to a thickness of 2-3mm and cut out 12-18 rounds with a 7.5 cm cutter.
5. Place the rounds into a muffin tin and fill each with about 2 Tbsp mincemeat.
6. Roll out the remaining pastry and cut out lids for each mince pie.
7. Lightly brush all of the pies with lightly beaten egg.
8. Bake the pies in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until bubbling and golden.
9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes and then turn out and allow to cool on a wire rack.
10. Dust with icing sugar and serve.

Merry Christmas everyone and a have a wonderful 2009!