Name: Disgustingly Easy: 12 Mince Pies Recipe
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 75 g raisins; 75 g currants; 75 g sultanas; 75 g dried cranberries; 50 g mixed peel; 150 g cooking apple finely chopped; 75 g unsalted butter; 125 g light brown soft sugar; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp mixed spice; Zest of 1 lemon; 150 ml brandy or apple juice; 350 g plain flour plus extra for dusting; 200 g unsalted butter cold and cubed; 25 g icing sugar; 1 medium egg; 1 egg beaten

Jump to Recipe

Is it even Christmas if you haven’t got the smell of warm spices wafting through your kitchen? For me, baking during the holidays *is* the holiday! And nothing says Christmas quite like mince pies. I still remember the first time I tried one – I was at my grandma’s, and the sugary, fruity smell hit me the second I walked in the door. I was a picky eater, but I devoured that little pie!

Making your own mince pies might seem intimidating, but trust me, it’s easier than you think! And the best part? You can totally cheat! If you’re short on time (and let’s face it, who isn’t during the holidays?), store-bought mincemeat is your friend. But if you’re feeling ambitious, homemade is *so* worth it. Either way, you’re going to end up with the most delicious, festive treat imaginable!

Why You’ll Love These Mince Pies

Easy Mince Pies Recipe

Look, I get it. Holiday baking can be a *stress*. But this mince pies recipe? It cuts out all the fuss! We’re keeping things simple, so you can actually enjoy the process, not just the finished product.

Delicious Mince Pies Flavors

Oh my goodness, the flavor! You’ve got the sweetness from the fruit, the warmth from the spices… it’s like a Christmas hug in every single bite. My favorite part is that little zing of lemon zest!

Perfect Festive Treats: Mince Pies

Seriously, these mince pies *scream* Christmas! They’re perfect for leaving out for Santa (if you can resist eating them all!), for gifting to friends, or just for munching on while you watch your favorite holiday movies.

Ingredients for Perfect Mince Pies

Okay, let’s talk ingredients! Don’t be scared by the list; it’s mostly just yummy dried fruit! You’ll need:

75g raisins
75g currants
75g sultanas
75g dried cranberries
50g mixed peel (that’s the candied stuff!)
150g cooking apple finely chopped (I like Granny Smith for a bit of tartness!)
75g unsalted butter
125g light brown soft sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp mixed spice
Zest of 1 lemon
150ml brandy or apple juice (for the kiddos… or if you’re not feeling boozy!)
350g plain flour, plus extra for dusting (always!)
200g unsalted butter, cold and cubed (super important that it’s cold!)
25g icing sugar
1 medium egg
1 egg, beaten (for that golden-brown top!)

How to Make Mince Pies: Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, here’s where the magic happens! Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every single step. Just take a deep breath, put on some Christmas tunes, and let’s get baking! We’re going to make some amazing mince pies. Promise!

Preparing the Mincemeat for the Mince Pies

First things first, the mincemeat! Toss all those lovely dried fruits – the raisins, currants, sultanas, cranberries, mixed peel, and that chopped apple – into a saucepan. Then add the butter, sugar, cinnamon, mixed spice, and lemon zest. Pop it on low heat until the butter melts, give it a good stir, and then let it simmer on medium for about 10 minutes. The house is going to smell incredible, just you wait! Take it off the heat and let it cool completely. *Then* stir in your brandy or apple juice. You want it properly cool, or the alcohol will evaporate (if you’re using it!).

Making the Pastry for Mince Pies

Now, for the pastry! This is where you get your hands dirty (in a good way!). In a big bowl, rub the flour and cold, cubed butter together with your fingertips. You want it to look like breadcrumbs – kinda sandy. Then, stir in the icing sugar and egg. Mix it until it forms a smooth dough. Don’t overmix! Just a light knead is all it needs. Wrap it up in cling film and pop it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. This is *super* important – it stops the pastry from shrinking when it bakes!

Mince Pies - detail 1

Assembling and Baking Your Mince Pies

Okay, preheat your oven to 220°C / 200°C fan. While that’s heating up, grease and flour a 12-hole muffin tin. Roll out your chilled pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 3-4mm thick. Cut out 12 circles that are about 11cm in diameter (these are for the bases) and gently press them into the muffin tin. Then, cut out 12 smaller circles (about 7cm) for the tops. Get creative here – use star-shaped cutters or whatever you fancy! Fill each pastry case with about 45-50g of mincemeat. Top with the smaller pastry circles, and press the edges to seal them. Brush the tops with beaten egg for a lovely golden shine. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown. Let them cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. And then… enjoy!

Tips for the Best Mince Pies

Want to take your mince pies from good to *amazing*? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years. Trust me, they make all the difference!

Prevent Soggy Bottoms on Your Mince Pies

Ugh, soggy bottoms are the *worst*, right? To avoid them, blind bake your pastry bases for a few minutes before adding the mincemeat. Also, make sure your mincemeat isn’t too wet!

Decorating your Mince Pies

Get creative with your decorations! Use different shaped cutters for the lids, or cut out little holly leaves or stars and stick them on top with a bit of egg wash. It’s all about the festive flair!

Chilling Your Mince Pie Pastry

Seriously, don’t skip the chilling step! It helps the gluten relax, which means your pastry will be tender and flaky, not tough. Plus, it stops the pastry from shrinking in the oven. Win-win!

Mince Pies Variations

Okay, so you’ve got the basic mince pie down? Awesome! Now, let’s get a little wild and try some fun variations. Because who says you have to stick to the rules? Not me!

Spice Up Your Mince Pies

Want a warmer, more intense flavor? Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to your mincemeat. Or even a little bit of ginger! It’ll give your mince pies a whole new level of cozy.

Fruity Mince Pies Additions

Feel like getting a little fruity? Throw in some chopped cherries or dried apricots to your mincemeat mix. Or even some chopped almonds! It adds a lovely bit of texture and a burst of extra flavor. Yum!

Mince Pies - detail 2

Storing and Reheating Your Mince Pies

So, you’ve baked a batch of gorgeous mince pies… and you haven’t eaten them all in one sitting (wow, you’ve got more willpower than me!). Here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious! Pop them in an airtight container, and they’ll happily sit at room temperature for a few days.

How long will Mince Pies Last?

Mince pies are usually good for about 3-4 days if stored properly. Keep them in that airtight container, away from direct sunlight, and you’re golden!

Reheating Instructions for Mince Pies

Want that “fresh out of the oven” feeling? Warm your mince pies in a low oven (around 150°C) for about 5-10 minutes. Careful not to overheat them, or the pastry will dry out!

Mince Pies FAQ

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common things people ask me about making mince pies. Don’t be shy – baking should be fun, not stressful!

Can I use Store-Bought Mincemeat for Mince Pies?

Absolutely! Life’s too short to make everything from scratch. Good quality store-bought mincemeat will work a treat. Just make sure you like the taste of it first!

Can I Freeze Mince Pies?

Yep! Mince pies freeze really well. Just wrap them individually in cling film and then pop them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for a couple of months. Defrost them thoroughly before reheating.

How to make Alcohol-Free Mince Pies?

Easy peasy! Just swap the brandy for apple juice in the mincemeat. You could even use orange juice for a different flavor! No one will ever know (or care!).

Estimated Nutritional Information for Mince Pies

Okay, so everyone always asks about the nutrition… but here’s the thing: it’s *really* hard to give exact numbers for mince pies! It all depends on the brands you use, how much mincemeat you cram in there (oops!), and whether you sneak a little extra sugar. So, please remember that any nutritional info you find is just an estimate, not a precise calculation!

Mince Pies - detail 3

Rate this Mince Pies Recipe

Loved these mince pies? Let me know in the comments below! And don’t forget to give the recipe a star rating! Share your festive creations on social media – I’d love to see them!